The Warriors shot 24 free throws. The Knicks shot 22 free throws.
That didn’t stop the Knicks from voicing their concerns about the referees after the first Garden game this season with fans.
Derrick Rose was most vocal after feeling like he was getting fouled on a few forays into the hoop. The Knicks shot 39 percent and faded in the second half – a recent trend.
“I felt we got good shots,” said Rose, who scored 16 points, gave eight assists but missed nine of his last eleven shots. “To be honest, we didn’t get any calls. It felt like guys were going out on track and we weren’t. got the same calls. It makes it difficult when it’s so lopsided. “
The statistics don’t show much skew, but coach Tom Thibodeau was also upset and Julius Randle suffered two technical fouls to be ejected.
Are the Warriors just getting more respect?
“I really don’t know,” said Rose. “We’re pros. I don’t even want to mention their names. It just makes it difficult when you’re already struggling on the offensive end.
‘You drive and you don’t get the same call. It looks like something else is going on. “
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he enjoyed the games with various fans. San Francisco still won’t have fans for the foreseeable future due to California law. The Warriors property has offered to pay for fans’ COVID-19 tests.
“There’s a different atmosphere in the games we’ve played with a few thousand fans – in Salt Lake, Phoenix and Orlando,” said Kerr. “Even having a few thousand fans makes a difference. It feels more normal, more real. The audience noise actually shows up at just the right time and not canned laughter in a sitcom. This is the mecca. ”
Austin Rivers was available after missing Sunday’s game with an illness. Rivers, who didn’t play, has been out of rotation since the rose trade.