The Knicks will not have to deal with Jimmy Butler for a second consecutive playoff series, but they will face one of his former Heat teammates, veteran guard Kyle Lowry, once again to open this postseason run.
The six-time All-Star, who averaged 12.2 points and 5.7 assists in the Heat’s six-game elimination of the Knicks last spring, signed with the Sixers — his hometown team — in February.
He also played collegiately in the Philadelphia area at Villanova, albeit several years ahead of the ’Nova Knicks trio of Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo.
“We take pride in playing hard and doing things the right way, and we only care about winning. That’s what the three guys are doing with New York right now,” the 38-year-old Lowry said Wednesday after the Sixers’ win over the Heat in Philly. “Myself, I’m the old vet, so I just tried to pass along as much knowledge that I could, and I’m just proud of them.
“I just cheer them on and, and I’m just proud of them, whatever they do.”
The 18-year NBA veteran scored 10 points in 17 minutes in Wednesday’s play-in victory.
Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse was OG Anunoby’s coach for five of the two-way wing’s six full seasons with the Raptors, including Toronto’s championship in 2019.
“I know he’s a great coach. I know they’ll be very well prepared,” Anunoby said. “He’s very creative. … They’ll be well coached, for sure.”
Asked about an internet report that stated Bojan Bogdanovic is dealing with a left-wrist injury, coach Tom Thibodeau said, “He’s fine. He’s practicing. He’s good.”
With the Rangers also opening the playoffs at home Sunday against the Capitals, Thibodeau said he’s “a big fan” of first-year Blueshirts coach Peter Laviolette.
“I think he’s done a great job everywhere he’s been,” Thibodeau said of Laviolette, who is in the playoffs with a sixth NHL team as head coach. “I love what the Rangers have done. They’ve had an incredible year. I just love it.“It’s great for the city and obviously the Garden, all the New York area fans. They’ve played great hockey all year long.”
Asked if he’s offered Laviolette any power-play advice, Thibodeau replied, “Nah, but I like their style. I like their faceoffs.”