Thibodeau critical of 'huge discrepancy' in free throws after Knicks fall to Pistons in Game 2

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Knicks left the court for halftime down by six on the scoreboard and way behind in the free throw statistics.

The Detroit Pistons wound up shooting 34 free throws Monday night in their 100-94 victory over the Knicks, who took 19 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first-round matchup.

The series is even and Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said afterward the free throws need to be as well.

“Obviously huge discrepancy in free throws,” Thibodeau said. “Huge. I've got to take a look at that.”

Thibodeau felt that Jalen Brunson, his point guard, wasn't getting the same type of calls that fellow All-Star Cade Cunningham received. The Knicks clearly want to be physical with Cunningham, as they were in their Game 1 victory, but struggled to do it without being whistled for fouls Monday.

“I don’t understand how on one side you talk about direct line drives. The guy is getting fouled and it’s not being called,” Thibodeau said. “And look, I don’t really give a crap how they call the game, as long as it’s consistent on both sides. So, if Cunningham is driving and there is marginal contact and he is getting to the line, then Jalen deserves to be getting to the line. It’s really that simple.”

The free throws for those two players were actually about even. Cunningham finished 10 for 12, while Brunson was 9 for 11. And Ausar Thompson, the primary defender on Brunson, fouled out of the game.

But the Knicks struggled to shake their frustration with the officiating in the first half. The Pistons took 14 free throws in the first two quarters and Brunson attempted the only two given to the Knicks.

Thibodeau frequently complains about the pounding Brunson takes and the Knicks keep a close eye on the officiating, even taking the rare step of including a breakdown of the game's three officials and some of their relevant stats in their pregame media notes.

Brunson thinks maybe they need to worry less during the games.

“Regardless if fouls are being called or not called, we’ve got to adjust and I feel like we did that a little too late into the game,” he said. “And so regardless of how it’s reffed, we’ve got to adjust and we’ve got to adapt to that and go on from there.”

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Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) drives toward the basket against New York Knicks' Mikal Bridges during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 21, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) reacts after a referee call during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Detroit Pistons, Monday, April 21, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau, right, yells at referee Justin Van Duyne, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) loses control of the ball during the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Detroit Pistons, Monday, April 21, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Oswin Appollis fired South Africa into the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Zimbabwe, while Egypt star Mohamed Salah got a rest.

The Bafana Bafana progressed in second place in Group B, behind already-qualified Egypt, which drew 0-0 with Angola in Agadir. Both final group games were played at the same time.

With his team already through, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan rested his regulars including Salah, Omar Marmoush, and Trézéguet. They’re set to return for the Pharaohs’ first knockout game, also in Agadir, against a third-place finisher from Groups A, C or D on Jan. 5.

South Africa needed a win in Marrakech to be sure of progress without relying on a favor from Egypt. But Zimbabwe twice came from behind and pushed for an equalizer late on.

Tshepang Moremi gave South Africa an early lead thanks to a deflection from Zimbabwe defender Divine Lunga taking it over the helpless goalkeeper.

Tawanda Maswanhise replied in the 19th with a brilliant individual goal, leaving defenders in his wake before firing the ball into the bottom corner.

Lyle Foster headed South Africa’s second early in the second half after a mix-up between Lunga and goalkeeper Washington Arubi.

An own-goal from Aubrey Modiba drew the Warriors level again in the 73rd to set up an exciting finale.

But they weren’t expecting Marvelous Nakamba to concede a penalty for handball instead of heading it, and Appollis duly converted the penalty in the 82nd.

South Africa awaits results in Group F as it will play the second-placed finisher from that group – Ivory Coast, Cameroon or Mozambique – on Sunday.

Later Sunday, host nation Morocco played Zambia in Group A, and Mali faced Comoros.

The Morocco players were cheered when they took their first walk out on the field before the game. Team captain Achraf Hakimi appealed for supporters to stop whistling the team on Sunday. He’s expected to play after recovering from an ankle injury.

AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations

Angola's Beni Mukendi and Egypt's Mahmoud Saber compete for the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations group B soccer match between Angola and Egypt in Agadir, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Egypt's head coach Hossam Hassan during the Africa Cup of Nations group B soccer match between Angola and Egypt in Agadir, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Angola's Gelson Dala, right, controls the ball past Egypt's Ahmed Zizo during the Africa Cup of Nations group B soccer match between Angola and Egypt in Agadir, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Angola's Gelson Dala, right, kicks the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations group B soccer match between Angola and Egypt in Agadir, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Egypt's Mohamed Salah, center, smiles as he sits on the bench ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations group B soccer match between Angola and Egypt in Agadir, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)