Roland Physicality Report

Game 1: NYK @ BOS | Final Score: NYK 104, BOS 101

PHYSICALITY MVP: JALEN BRUNSON

Brunson led all players in Physicality Wins (25) and topped every major category: RPR (Roland Physicality Rating), Physicality Points while absorbing the most punishment (xRPR). He was everywhere in the fourth quarter with 11 points and elite decision-making. Though he showed fatigue late in OT, his physicality, effort, and leadership fueled the Knicks' comeback.

Net Physicality Edge by Quarter

...this suggests Boston wore down while New York ramped up

Full Player Physicality Stats

Header notes:
RPR = "Roland Physicality Rating" (in development)
Plays = Physicality Plays (adjusted by level of force)
Wins = a Physicality play that is deemed a 'win'
L = Losses (non-intentional fouls and soft plays)
L2+ = level 2 or high force physicality plays
Falls = player hits the ground
KD = Knockdowns: causes opponent to hit the ground
Net Pts = 'results over process' calculation

NEW YORK KNICKS

...NEW YORK KNICKS "physicality suffered"

Analysis:

• Jalen Brunson as is typically the case was the leader of the team in both physicality 'exerted' on the opponents as well as the physicality 'inflicted' on him by the opponents. From being picked up and hounded when he gets the ball in the backcourt to the targeting on defense, the constant grabbing to restrict his movement...he puts up MVP level performance (and Clutch player of the year!) despite the challenges he faces on a nightly basis.


• Josh Hart is often the Knicks' secret weapon, usually sneaking in some exceptional fastbreak drives (after makes!). Tonight he was strong on effort/energy physical plays, as well as absorbing a lot of attacks on defense, but was also utilized highly in setting screens.


• KAT had moments positive and negative, and his early foul trouble almost proved too costly when the Knicks' got down by 16 at halftime. But he was a powerful force with his back to the basket/postup game. Like Jalen he also faces a lot of physicality 'suffered' but kept his composure overall.

BOSTON CELTICS

...BOSTON CELTICS "physicality suffered"

Analysis:

• Jrue Holiday is similar to Hart in being a secret to the team success on a nightly basis. He was active picking up Brunson in the backcourt (although not nearly with the same intensity as we saw Thompson of DET in the prior round). Led the Celtics in 'physicality wins' with only the one L, and should be in for a series long physicality battle with Brunson.


• Jayson Tatum had a strange game, with only 2 physicality wins in the first half, before picking up 11 in the second. Made some plays late but with Brown not looking all that healthy will need to do more.


• Payton Prichard led the team in 'net physicality points' which is an attempt to focus more on results over process (eg you could set a great 'winning' screen to free up a shooter for a wide open shot, who misses -- process is good, results not in that instance). A dyanmo who no doubt doles out more physicality than he receives.

Signature Physicality Moments

• Q1 (10:19) Josh Hart shakes Porzingis:
  Drives hard, fakes KP into a stumble, easy layup sets tone for NYK's fearlessness.
• Q3 (7:07) Jrue Holiday draws angry Towns charge:
  Towns, already frustrated by a no call when he was hacked on a drive by Horford on the previous possession, winds up with the free throw line post mismatch on Jrue, who on the second overly physical bump by angry KAT, falls and draws the charge. (Towns' 4th foul)


• Q4 (6:33) Horford halts KAT at the rim:
  In a rematch, Towns drives at Horford again starting at the 3pt line, takes him to the basket, but Horford absorbs the contact and looks to get a piece of the shot at the rim (uncredited), KAT falls, 5on4 break the other way leads to open 3.


• Q4 (1:08) Brunson spins Jrue, breaks down defense:
  Down one, guarded tightly by Jrue and heading to a KAT screen, spins off Jrue, leaving him out of the play, and drives causing the defense to collapse, then makes the right pass vs the X defender for a wide open Anunoby corner three.


• Q4 (0:30) Derrick White goes airborne:
  Tie game, White first boxes out Hart, then outjumps Bridges to grab the ball, falling to the ground and coach Mazzula gets the timeout in just in time before a jump ball is called.


• Q4 (0:02) Brunson creates the great look:
  Tie game, Brunson chucks Jrue to gain huge space, cuts to the basket, gets nice feed from KAT for a point blank shot over the closing Horford...but misses.


• OT (4:06) Brunson makes it hard:
  Switched onto Horford and overmatched, Al takes hin to the rim, Jalen fronts and fights hard, making the catch tough, KAT arrives to help and forces Horford into a wild pass leading to impossible shot, and 24 second violation.


• OT (3:29) Bridges chaos defense + outlet:
  First Bridges helps off the corner to knock ball on a Brown drive, then deflects the ball again when Brown attempts to pass to the corner, recovers for the steal and then while heading out of bounds throws it ahead to Hart to start a fastbreak for an eventual and-one.


• Q4 (2:08) Tatum too strong:
  Tangles with Bridges going for the seal under the rim, outmuscles him for the ball and gets the layup.


• OT (0:01) Bridges strips Brown to seal it:
  Elite anticipation, tears it free before a game-tying shot can go up.