Roland NBA Physicality Report

Team Physicality Game Summary

Winner: ~draw~

Team	RPR*	Plays	Wins	L/D	L2+	Falls	KD
IND	450.4	627	142	27	33	44	34
NYK	452.9	580	142	30	47	34	44

Tracking over forty types of contact, aggression, and resilience -- every second of the game.

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/D = Losses/Defeats (non-intentional fouls and soft plays), L2+ = level 2 or higher force physicality plays, Falls = player hits the ground, KD = Knockdowns: causes opponent to hit the ground

Notable Team Physicality Details

1. INDIANA did win the active hands/hounding ballhandlers category, with more instances of it and +5 physicality wins over NYK. The early indications on our physicality tracking suggest this may be one of the most important/predictive areas.


2. They also had more grabs and holds, but it was close.


3. With regards to picking up/pressuring in the backcourt the PACERS were active throughout with 67 instances (to New York's 9), and 7 "physicality wins" where they made it significantly wearing and troublesome, not just routine.


4. Some other good areas of physicality for INDIANA include "stymies" where you make the ballhandler pass it off for a reset after trying to create something without success. We had IND as +7 stymies (+3 wins). They had more wins fighting over/thru screens and they set many more on-ball screens then the KNICKS.


5. For NEW YORK what stood out was a high number of "overpowering force" wins in rebounding -- Robinson had 5, and two each for KAT, OG, Bridges and Hart. They were a +8 here versus the Pacers which translates into significant expected value. This may be a series long strength.


6. The Knicks also came out on top in the aerial/vertical physicality areas, ahead on both defensive verticality wins, as well as more success with offensive challenges of defenders at the rim.


7. A few other areas of note for NEW YORK are they were pushing/shoving/chucking more, set more offball screens, and they spent vastly more energy getting free of defenders which suggests the IND holds/grabs were perhaps more taxing to deal with.

Player Physicality Stats

INDIANA PACERS

...INDIANA PACERS"physicality suffered"

Analysis:

• Aaron Nesmith Must be considered the player of the game for his incredible shooting late to get the Pacers back within striking distance. The physicality side though also positions him as the star, leading all players in 'physical plays' while enduring collosal physicality suffered (and a game high 16 falls), and expending immense energy putting physical wear on Brunson in particular, which may pay dividends as the series progresses.


• Pascal Siakam had a solid physicality night with high volume of plays, the leader for the Pacers in level 2+ force plays, and few losses/defeats. The one head to head matchup which went well for him physically was with Josh Hart where he was +4 wins in direct player-on-player physicality. Worth watching going forward.


• Tyrese Haliburton is not a high physicality player typically, but did lead the team with 27 wins, albeit also high man with 7 losses/soft plays. More importantly the physicality suffered for Tyrese was a fraction of what Brunson had to undergo.

NEW YORK KNICKS

...NEW YORK KNICKS "physicality suffered"

Analysis:

• Karl-Anthony Towns had big box score numbers, great offensive efficiency, and a nice +9 plus/minus. He also led all players in RPR ('Roland Physicality Rating'), physicality 'wins' and level 2+ force plays. And he shrugged off the attempted physicality imposed on him for the most part (just .65 xRPR/play). He was soft defendung the P&R at times for sure, but overall an impressive performance.


• Jalen Brunson continues to amaze with his toughness. Under constant physicalty being attempted on him (led all players in xRPR and the # of physical actions suffered) he somehow manages to dole his own physical plays, and produce a stunning 43 pts, 60% fg masterpiece that was undone by the Knicks collapse/Pacers brilliance late.


• Mikal Bridges led all players in minutes, but finished with the most 'physicality wins suffered'. His 'physicality H2H matchup' was a 'loss' in this one versus Haliburton and Turner.

Signature Physicality Moments

• Q1 (10:44) The first minute tells us to expect a very physical series
  From Turner knocking over OG on the opening play, followed by three Pacers picking up in the backcourt on defense, to lots of bumps and tangles, culminating with Jalen clearing space for a midrange by knocking over Nesmith.


• Q1 (1:09) Knicks showing composure and skill
  Knicks beat the backcourt pressure first a screen from Hart then McConnell has to play catch up get back in front only to face Mitch screen who rolls for perfect lob dunk


• Q1 (:49) Brunson with the early edge on Toppin
  After Toppin misses point blank shot over Brunson at one end Jalen cuts on him for open look before Toppin bumps him Jalen falls into stanchion headfirst


• Q1 (:00) Insane physicality on FT boxouts
  For the second time in the last minute of the quarter there are bodies flying on a free throw -- this one a make even -- as Mitch cannot be easily contained even with a Bryant and Nesmith doubleteam


• Q2 (9:42) The Pacers crank up the physicality
  Post timeout picking up backcourt multiple grabs fighting over screens Knicks had zero space never close to getting a shot up. A strong contrast to the next possession where the Knicks show no defensive fierceness and it results in an easy cut for two free throws


• Q3 (11:46) The second half starts rough
  Crazy physicality to start the half backcourt pressures grabs multi offball screen gamuts rebounding knockdowns ending with Haliburton knocking Bridges to the ground on a midrange shot


• Q3 (9:16) Brunson vs Nesmith all game long
  Aaron picks up in backcourt Brunson fights him off Nesmith compains to refs mid play then as Jalen dribbles again Nesmith takes it in chest falls and Brunson falls on top of him Knicks challenge offensive foul and lose.


• Q4 (8:35) McBride stands tall vs Siakam
  Siakam cuts goes up to dunk but smaller McBride meets him at the rim blocks the dunk, and then oof a second straight fouling a Knick on a three as McBride follows up his rim protection with offball screen that hits Nesmith enough to make him out of control on closeout


• Q4 (4:06) Towns keeps Knicks in control
  After a third offensive rebound by the team on the possession, Towns breaks free of tangle with elbow knocking down Bryant attacks rim Siakam with a windmill swing knocks Towns down but the shot goes in anyway up 14 4min left


• Q4 (3:24) Pacers won't quit
  Ah the little things down 14, 3:25 to go Siakam battles Town for board goes ob off Towns extra poss for Indiana. Nesmith hits a three seconds later...


• Q4 (:00) It ain't over!
  Haliburton drives on Bridges but Bridges disrupts Mitch switches as Haliburton regathers backs up for shot bounces high up off rim and through but toe on line means it's OT, Tyrese choke sign too soon


• OT (2:53) Pacers kings of high pace game
  Nembhard drives but Towns absorbs well he tries to make tough pass Knicks get loose ball pass ahead to Brunson who gets by Haliburton to rim but Turner there to block and Brunson falls, Turner falls landing on top of him meanwhile Pacers go the other way for FB 3


• OT (:20) Every moment matters
  Great pressure by the Pacers on the inbounds eventually KAT had to go to near halfcourt for a catch pushed by Toppin, amazing play by KAT to avoid turnover, Anunoby later tries to throw pass to Brunson but Hart offball screen ineffective as Nembhard fights through it gets hand on pass knocks it off Brunson and Pacers ball on the successful challenge


• OT (0:01) Four bodies on the floor
  Physical to the end, Towns misses three to tie Sheppard and Hart tangle for rebound both fall, ball bounces Nesmith Bridges both go for rebound, both fall, Bridges on ground has ball goes out of bounds. Game.