Hour 3: Knicks-6ers Game 3

Summary

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Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast

Episode: Hour 3: Knicks-6ers Game 3
Date: May 8, 2026
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Summary by an Expert Podcast Summarizer

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Overview:

This episode centers on the pivotal Game 3 between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA Playoffs. The hosts analyze the game's must-win implications for the Knicks, take calls from fans (including many traveling to Philadelphia), debate the impact of home-court advantage, discuss OG Anunoby's absence, and touch on ticket prices and playoff anxieties. The energetic conversation captures the tension, excitement, and communal feeling among Knicks fans as they look to seize control of the series.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Urgency and Meaning of Game 3

• The hosts build a case for why Game 3, while not a literal "must win" for the Knicks up 2-0, is psychologically and strategically massive.

• Alan Hahn emphasizes the importance of sending a message: “If you win tonight, that’s the difference. Back in the series or basically done. That’s what Game 3 means.” [02:00]

• Don La Greca contextualizes with playoff history: “Never happened in the NBA… I don’t think it would happen here, but the reality is, they’re back in the series if Philly wins Game 3.” [02:25]

• The common theme is to maintain urgency and not allow the Sixers to gain hope:
  Hahn: “Don’t let them breathe. Don’t hesitate. Tonight, you drop it down and you go right for it through the tape.” [05:18]

• Additional note from Hahn about previous Knicks struggles: “Every year we go up 2-0, four years now, we’ve always lost game three.” [04:41]

Statement Wins & The Importance of Momentum

• Discussion regarding statement victories — blowing teams out versus winning tough, close games.

  • Game 2 win seen as more valuable than the Game 1 blowout, demonstrating resilience and composure.

• Analogy to boxing:
  Hahn: “You knocked him down twice in the round… if you don’t come out in the next round ready for a kill shot… now you gotta fight again.” [07:00]

Fan Involvement & Travel to Philly

• Multiple callers describe driving to Philadelphia for the game, many for their first-ever Knicks playoff experience. The hosts express pride and excitement at the mass road-trip.

• Caller Ty: "I think we're taking over MSG South. Let's go." [10:10]

• Ticket prices are discussed, revealing lower costs in Philly compared to NYC:

  • Upper bowl: ~$150-225
  • Lower bowl: ~$225-500 [24:00], [31:07]

• Chris: “I genuinely do see more Knicks fans than I see Sixers fans in the parking lot.” [32:26]

• The hosts marvel at how Knicks fandom is traveling, creating a sort of “takeover” in Philly, speculating that this could demoralize Sixers fans and/or motivate their team.

Home Court Advantage – Curse or Blessing?

• Debated how much the “Knicks invasion” can rattle, or alternatively, fire up the Sixers.

• Hahn: “If you’re losing, you got bigger issues than the fact that Knicks fans are cheering… The only thing that matters is how you’re playing.” [17:45]

• Home crowds mainly matter in moments; noisy Knicks fans could demoralize Philly but rarely shift outcomes in the home team’s favor. [19:08]

OG Anunoby’s Health and Impact

• Breaking news during the show: OG is OUT for Game 3.

  • Vegas lines shift as news breaks, reflecting his value.

• Concern about OG’s rhythm:
  Caller Carl: “The problem with OG resting is that he loses his rhythm. And I don’t want him to lose that rhythm.” [28:06]
  Hahn: “When he misses time, usually his first game back after missing a couple of games, he’s a little off. And guys, he’s been so locked in—62% from the field in the playoffs so far, 51% from three. That’s unheard of numbers.” [29:02]

Defensive Matchups & Foul Trouble

• Discussion around how crucial it is for Towns (Cat) to avoid foul trouble, especially against Embiid:
  Hahn: “The Sixers are going to go at Cat to try to get him in foul trial… and Towns has to… be better because he needs to be on the floor for his team.” [11:30]

Playoff Psychology and Fan Anxiety

• Several fans call in admitting they are so anxious they DVR games and avoid all distractions until they can watch alone.
  Carl: "I record all the games and I don’t watch until 11 o’clock at night because I need to forward through the commercials...I’m so anxious about what’s getting ready to happen." [27:38]

• The hosts commiserate and swap stories about avoidance tactics during big games.

Betting, Ticket Prices, and Logistics

• Discussion of the practicalities of attending the game:
  • Ticket prices compared to Madison Square Garden and value for fans.
  • Parking situations and Philly's stadium complex are analyzed.
  • Betting logistics are noted — hard to place bets across state lines due to app restrictions. [34:00]

Sixers Side & Embiid’s Status

• Embiid’s health “questionable” going into the game. Discussion that if he can’t play in Game 3, the Sixers are likely finished.
• Gamesmanship from Philly's staff is noted, but the hosts expect Embiid will give it a go. [35:13]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Alan Hahn, on game urgency:
  “Have the must-win urgency about you because it says so much about what you’re doing. It sends that message that, yeah, Vegas says you’re now the best team left in the East. Prove it by going up 3-0 on a team that you know right now will have some fight in them... but let’s be honest, they are kind of wavering, man. You don’t want to give them a second wind. That’s what tonight’s about.” [05:18]

• Peter Rosenberg:
  “If you win this game, it’s dead. You’re dead as a door... I’d rather go to lunch on Mother’s Day, let’s just go to brunch, go to the church. We don’t need to go to this game.” [07:41]

• Caller Carl (on OG):
  “The problem with OG resting is that he loses his rhythm. And I don’t want him to lose that rhythm...we need to give him that rest. It’s unbelievable...” [28:06]

• Caller Ty (Knicks fan headed to Philly):
  “I’m on the turnpike right now. I’ll be in Philly in the hour...I think we’re taking over MSG South. Let’s go.” [10:10]

• Chris (on parking and logistics in Philly):
  “It’s majority Knicks fans. From what I see. It’s—I’d say like 60/40.” [33:06]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Game 3 stakes & precedent: 01:46–04:34
• Knicks' past Game 3 issues: 04:41–06:46
• Statement win analogy (boxing): 07:00–07:19
• Caller Ty, road trip, fan invasion: 08:00–10:19
• Caller Mark, Knicks depth: 10:27–11:07
• Defensive key, Towns vs. Embiid: 11:07–13:02
• Caller Ani, Vegas line analysis: 15:20–16:30
• Home-crowd impact debate: 16:48–20:31
• OG status news/line movement: 31:50–32:04
• Fan logistics, parking, ticket prices: 23:26–24:18, 31:07–33:20, 38:09–39:08
• Caller Carl, playoff anxiety & OG’s rhythm: 27:09–29:48
• Embiid injury update/gamesmanship: 34:50–35:46

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Final Thoughts

This episode captures the feverish anticipation and anxiety surrounding a pivotal playoff game, blending expert analysis with fan passion. The hosts dissect not just Xs and Os, but also mentality, history, and crowd psychology. The steady stream of callers—many physically en route to Philly—reflects the communal energy and hope among Knicks fans, for whom Game 3 represents more than just a basketball contest.

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Transcript

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Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.

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That sounds like heaven to me.

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Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.

[C]

Game time brought to you by Telemardu Irish Whiskey because when it's game time guys,

[D]

it's tolly time.

[C]

Nick Sixers game three coverage immediately following us on 880 at 6 o' clock the Mets visit the Diamondbacks. You can hear that game on 1050 at 9 and will be on 880 following the Knicks coverage. Yankees are a milliwauke to face the brewers. That game is at 7:40 and I've got some news. Spencer Jones is in the lineup for the New York Yankees.

[B]

That's exciting.

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Balled up with jazz going on the IL and he is going to be the designated hitter and bat sixth tonight against the brewers.

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The biggest outfield in Major league baseball history.

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Tullamore due the original triple distilled, triple blended and triple cast matured Iris whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew or try the new Telemore Dew honey during today's action glasses up to enjoying Tullamore do responsibly. Well Al wants to get your pulse. Game three tonight a chance. Take a stranglehold on this series go up three nothing and four times it's happened to the NHL teams come back from three nothing down. It's happened once in baseball. It's never happened in the NBA.

[B]

I don't remember baseball. I don't remember well I could regard

[C]

you I'm not going to be that guy.

[B]

No, I just was 23 years ago don't remember the year.

[C]

It's probably irrelevant Never happened in the NBA so and I don't think it would happen here but must win is strong but I understand the sentiment of Listen, I don't want to put him back In a series. I said it to you yesterday, Proverbial must win. You know that the, the headline tomorrow will be Sixers back in the series. That's the way it is, no matter how you feel. Oh, the Knicks are still not losing this series. I don't think they're going to lose this series if they lose tonight. But the reality is they're back in the series. They won a game. They'll have a game four on Mother's Day in Philadelphia with a chance to even the series. And not just kind of playing it out, maybe hoping for a gentleman sweep. If you win tonight, that's the difference. Back in the series or basically done. That's what game three means.

[B]

That's literally what it means. Yeah, but it also means for the Knicks, something also. I said also twice. That's how important it is because it does say something about you. Now again, they lose it. A buzzer beat or something like that. I mean, it still has to be. What does it look like? But it's just something to me about a statement. And we keep saying all these different statements, right? That's why I felt game two was such an important win and maybe even more of a valuable or more of a reassuring win than blowing them out in game one was. Because game one was sort of a. Their head was spinning. They just won a game seven. They come in from Boston. They don't even know what the hell you're running because they haven't seen you since February. So, you know, like you can understand a game one blowout. Win, win in that game that had all the earmarks of a letdown. You know, this one worked against you. Monica called it trap game loss. That had all the earmarks of it, but they didn't. And I felt like that had a little more value to it than the 30 point win in game one. And this one is another one of those kind of statements, something that would really just drop the hammer on this series. And also that, that kind of set that tone of anybody else that's still wondering if this is legit, what we're doing here. Make no mistake, it's legit. And that's what a win tonight, no

[C]

matter what it looks like.

[B]

I don't care. I don't care if it's sloppy, I don't care if it's ugly. I don't matter. It doesn't matter.

[D]

Still.

[C]

3, 0 win me just three.

[B]

Oh. And that's what I think is important from the Knick perspective. That's like, if I'm in the room right now. And I'm addressing the players before the game. I'm the head coach. That's the message I'm sending, is I'm just kind of giving that reminder. Like I would tell them, you never want to bring up when a team's had a negative thing. You always want to, like, you don't want to put it in their heads, but what you want to do is remind them, you know, fellas, we've done this, all right? This is the fourth time every year we go up 204 years now we've done this. And we always lose game three. We always give that game three away. And two years ago, Indiana, you're up 2 0, feeling good about things, you're in control, you have a chance to win game three. And that kid Nemhardt hits his shot out of his, you know what, just chuck the 30 footer and it goes in. But that stuff can happen when you're not on point. And so the whole idea for me would be to remind them of, just be on point because you do this quick turnaround, 3:30, is that tip off on Sunday. We all know how fast those 3:30 tips, afternoon tip off games, how fast they come at you. Tomorrow will not feel like a full off day. And so make sure tonight is not the night that anybody just decides to hesitate for one second or peel back for one second. No, tonight you drop it down and you go right for it through the tape. That's what tonight's about. That's why it's a virtual. It's not a real thing, It's a hypothetical. But the idea of have the must win urgency about you because it says so much about what you're doing. It sends that message that, yeah, Vegas says you're now the best team left in the East. Prove it by going up 30 on a team that you know right now. We'll have some fight in them, we'll have some fighting them, but let's be honest, they are kind of like, they're kind of wavering, man. They are kind of wavering. You don't want to give them a second win. That's what tonight's about.

[C]

To me, it's, it's such, it's such a situation where you are one knockout blow away from it being over or one bad loss away from a team believing they're in this series.

[B]

Yeah. If you give back around, right, like, think about it. You knocked him down twice in the round, and then he gets saved by the bell and he goes back to the corner. If you don't come out in the next round ready for a kill shot and you had maybe, like, dance around and mess around, then all of a sudden it's like, he wins the round. Now all of a sudden, you got to fight again.

[C]

Well, remember Philly, if you're. Philly, if you were to win tonight's game, you know what you're saying? You're saying, all right, we got completely mopped in game one. Then we kind of beat them for most of game two, and then we beat them in game three.

[B]

Now this is.

[C]

This is an even series. Whereas you win this game, it's dead. It's. You're dead as a door.

[B]

Now, the tape. You know what?

[C]

I'd rather go to lunch. I'd rather go to lunch on Mother's Day.

[B]

Let's just.

[C]

Let's just get.

[D]

Let's go to brunch.

[A]

We'll go to the church.

[C]

We don't need to go to this game.

[B]

So you could finish them or. Not tonight.

[C]

All right, this is interesting. Ty is in the prom limo. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, Ty?

[B]

So it's a. Yeah. Friday. Yeah.

[D]

What's up, fellows?

[B]

I like this.

[C]

I think this is a first for the show. For the station, maybe.

[A]

No, I need.

[B]

Context is needed here. Yeah, we definitely need context. Are you a passenger or driver? Prom limo. It's that guy.

[D]

Oh.

[C]

He was in Natalie's problem, so he's not in a problem.

[B]

I thought you would be in a problem.

[A]

I don't think he's still in a problem prom.

[C]

No, I was hoping he was on his way to the prom.

[B]

Yeah. Or. Or picking up some kids for the prom.

[C]

Okay, well, thank you. We've got the context, so let's tell the story.

[B]

Tell the story.

[D]

I was in that. I was not. I was in that problem about 20 years ago. We were. Went to prom together, all of us.

[C]

He told the story once before. They were in the same friend crew.

[B]

No. Okay.

[D]

Yeah. In the same small. It's a small world. It's a small world.

[C]

It is.

[B]

It sure is.

[D]

Very small world, but. So Knicks, they got. They got the best opportunity right now. As long as we keep playing through Cat. I feel like triple double cat makes the Knicks unstoppable. I've never seen them play so free slowing like that. They can't do anything with it. Anybody in the league. My opinion. And if we stick to that and don't get caught with the ball stopping, I think we're fine. I think Allen made a great Point the big game 3. Bigger than most game threes because we haven't won a game three. But I think that if everybody just stays locked in how they've been, even in the interviews, everybody's been locked in. Everybody's just taking it one game at a time. And we play through Cat and Jalen closes at the end. I think we got it. Part two of that is I'm on the turnpike right now. I'll be in Philly in the hour. So indeed, he's gonna hear me for the next three hours and he wants to cry. Okay, on the Philly side this year, I'm on the Philly side. I'm with MB I'm in his ear the whole game because I think he's terrified and he's making excuses. So let's get this dub. And I know there's thousands of people because I see lots of New York takes on this turnpike, and I'm only an hour away. So I think we're taking over MSG South. Let's go.

[B]

Oh, I love it.

[D]

All right.

[C]

That was a great.

[B]

I love it. That's what this is about, man. Start talking your trash.

[D]

Let's go.

[B]

This could be a crazy weekend.

[C]

Mark and Dick's Hills, you're on. Don on and Rosenberg.

[D]

Hey, guys. First of all, big fan. I think you guys are the best. Long time Nick fan. I actually have an uneasy calm. Even though I'm nervous. I feel like the depth of the Knicks. This is the best that we've ever seen. Everyone is coming out. Even when OG Got hurt, Deuce came in and played some excellent D and you know, he's been hurt. He's coming back. I just think the depth is there. The coach has him going after the Atlanta series, after that third game, they picked it up and they're not looking back. Keep the gas on the pedal and let's take this.

[B]

Yeah, that's again, I'm hoping that's the mentality that they. And I think it should be right, that they come into this game with. Is come into the game with as much urgency as possible, knowing you're going to get a little bit of the bump to start the game. The crowd will be as loud as it can be. The Sixers will be, of course, as punchy as they can be. They still talk a lot about physicality. Going to be an interesting Mark Davis and his crew tonight. It's going to be an interesting officiating crew as far as how this game will be called because we have no consistency right now. When it Comes to officiating in the series so far, none. Let's see what this is tonight. Because the Sixers have lived at the free throw line, they'll be going at Cat to try to get him in foul trial. I'm telling you, all the things to look for. They're gonna. They're gonna try to get at Towns early, get him off the floor with foul trouble. And if Embiid is playing, you know that's the first thing they're going to do. They're going to have them probably post up. He's going to do all his stuff and Towns has to. And he did vow the other night, I got to watch film and I got to be better because I need to be on the floor for my team. I have to be better. He took accountability. He didn't blame the officials. So can he keep his hands back and just use his body and not fall for the fakes? Force Embiid just into to be a contested shot shooter and just force him to have a great shooting night and also see if he can still have enough gas in the tank at the end of the game. But that's the stuff to look for early. Sustain all that stuff. Don't get caught up in it. And then there's always that one run they go on. The Knicks have in this spread that they've been through now with five straight wins, there's been one run in the game that sort of like turns everything in game two. It didn't happen until the last two minutes, but it happened. That's the one thing you're looking for in this game, because I just don't think they have enough to respond once you smack them with that one run.

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Now I know how to pronounce this. Anthony, is it? Annie and I on Staten Island. Ani Staten Island. Awesome, man. Thanks.

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What's going on, guys? First time caller, longtime listener. Peter, Me and my wife want to congratulate you and Natalie. We are college friends of Natalie's and we're actually pregnant ourselves. Wow.

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Love this Stony Brook.

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Nice.

[D]

Yes. So real quick, I just wanted to say you guys touched on the line, and the line right now is going to happen. Jumped up one point. But the thing is, Vegas is still telling us that they don't trust Philly at home. And it's a good reason that they don't because it's going to be half Knicks fans over there. But another thing that they're telling us is that the Knicks might pull out a win. It just feels so good today. It's a Friday night. Knicks. We have a good feeling. We're up two zero and the home team automatically gets minus three on the Eden teams. So Vegas is telling me something, and that's what we're going to go with. Thank you, guys.

[C]

Thank you. So the line has moved. I wonder we talk about it being an advantage to the Knicks, obviously, if there's Knick fans in the building. It could also be the reverse, right. Where it'll tick the Sixers off to the point where, yeah, they'll play mad.

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No, but come on, I, I, I

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know you need that.

[C]

You're down two games to none.

[B]

Yeah, you don't need a motivation.

[C]

That's all your motivation, you know, but you don't need motivation to be playing in your own building or, or, or having Nick fans in the building. Like there should be motivation for the Knicks 2 to go up 3 0. I'm just saying that shouldn't matter if the crowd matters. Right. Then it could work to where it could anger the Sixers just like I could pump the Knicks up. That there's half the building is rooting for things. I think that's a little bit of an exaggeration. I think it's going to be less than half, but you're going to hear them.

[B]

You know what happened in the, in the Celtics series? That building was filled with Celtics fans. And it was loud when the Celtics won, right? It was loud. But like they, they won game four and it was loud. It made it three one. They, they lost again. They lost game two.

[D]

Right.

[B]

They won both games in Philadelphia, three and four. Ticket three one. And that Celtics. There was a lot of Celtics fans in that building. It's pissed them off and make them. And fire them up. No, what fires them up is they don't want to be down 3. Oh, they know what it means to be down 3 0. And if they're doing what they're supposed to do and they're winning and making shots, you're going to get a loud Sixer crowd cheering. If they're playing like crap, their fans are going to stop cheering. And you're going to hear whether it's 20% of the crowd or not, you're going to hear the New York people that went to that game. Like, I don't believe there's a crowd. The crowd's great in moments, but I don't think not having a crowd upsets a makes a home team mad. The fact that you're down 20 is the only thing that's lighting a fire. You shouldn't hear the crowd in that moment. The only thing that matters is how you're playing, then they'll be cheering. But if you're losing, you got bigger. You got bigger issues than the fact that Nick fans are cheering. You know what I mean?

[C]

Yeah, I hear you. But I do hear Don's point too, that you never know how that kind of stuff can affect a team. And there is a world in which, if that building is, let's say there are 9,000 Nick fans there, there is a world in which that could either A, really get in their head or B, do the opposite and really motivate you.

[B]

And I've seen it this way. I get it. I get it. You're right, Peter. In most cases, the only time I've seen that work and I've seen the Knicks on the road a ton when they've had half the building on their side and the opposing team is, like, embarrassed because this, this crowd's not cheering for us. And it doesn't do anything until after the game when the players complain about the crowd. Where I've seen it is in the Garden. That's where I've seen it, where the crowd is so loud and raucous and fired up for the Knicks. I've seen road teams, especially star players, use it as motivation because, like, there's a point at the Garden crowd where they go from being like, just cheering to them being nasty. And you saw CJ McCollum most recently, great example. McCollum loved it in that game. What was that? Game two. And used it as motivation and finished the game strong. Had a little extra something and talked about I'm not a villain, but he loved it. That's sort of what I've seen it work that way. But I've rarely seen on the road when the Knicks have fans in the. In the other team's building, where the home team now gets mad and fired up and plays at another level. I've seen it demoralize them. So it is a dangerous environment. The Sixers shouldn't pay attention to any of that stuff.

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[B]

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[C]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[B]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.

[C]

Programming Alert Today's Mets Diamondbacks game can be heard on 1050 ESPN at 9pm Game three of the Nixon Sixers can be heard on 880 ESPN New York at 6pm and all games can be streamed on the ESPN New York app. Last call crew before enn at 5:45. Let's talk to Lincoln who's down in Philly. You're on. Don Hanna Rosenberg what's up?

[D]

Hey boys. Doing good.

[B]

Good.

[D]

Good to hear you guys. I'm in the car right now with my college friend. We're going down to the game. We literally bought tickets like today and we're on the way down right now, but I just want to call in, you know, talk about, like, expectations for the game.

[B]

Can I ask, before you do that, I'm curious. So you got him today, Day of. Can you give me an idea of, like, the price range? I don't want. You don't have to tell me exactly what you spent, but, like, give me a range of like, what you were getting them for to get in the building.

[D]

It was like 150. And then like lower bowl tickets were going for like 225.

[B]

Damn around that. So, I mean, it's like, think about it, just driving down there for that price. Are you crazy? That's. That's. Oh, yeah. That's a smart play.

[D]

Yeah. Yeah. So, okay. But what I wanted to talk about was, I don't know if I necessarily agree with you, Alan, saying that tonight is a must win. I really feel like we got to see how we're going to do without OG tonight, especially with Embiid. I'm assuming he's going to play because I don't see them if they're really serious about this series having Embiid sit on it out tonight. But I wouldn't necessarily categorize tonight as a must win. It's more of, like, the setup, how Embiid does against Kat and Mitch, hopefully, if he plays as well.

[B]

All right, that's fair. Let me just explain. When I say it, I'm not saying it from our perspective. I mean from within. I think the team should feel this way, have this sense of must win and it's virtual. I know it's not. They're up 2 0.

[D]

But.

[B]

But I don't mean it like from our perspective, all of us watching. I mean it from. From inside the room. This should have a must win feel to it for them. There should be an urgency to this that normally doesn't exist. When you're up 20 and you're playing your first game on the road and everybody's doing the usual. The cliche thing is, well, they're going to get a bump from their crowd and they're going to respond and then it's what you're supposed to have. Like, I just feel like in the room as you're getting ready for the game, the mentality should be treat this like a must win with urgency because it's a statement game if they do.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

And that's why I opened the show the way that I did of this whole philosophy of all, don't let OG play. We've got this thing, man. So let's let him rest and let's think about, you know, no, go. I'm not saying you got to play him because if he's not ready, he's not ready. But the general attitude should be, like Alan said, go out there, win this game. Step on their throat.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

Don't make it a series. I'm not saying you're going to lose the series, but even if it doesn't have to go five, don't go five. Like don't play an extra game. When you play an extra game, it's an extra chance for somebody to get hurt or something to happen. And Allen outlined all the times they have not won game three. And a couple of those times they lost the series, including Indiana a couple of years ago. Do not even make them think that they've got a chance. And then you got the short turnaround for Mother's Day on Sunday.

[B]

Trust me.

[C]

God forbid. Listen, Even if it's 2 2, I still would feel very comfortable that the Knicks would still go home, take care of business and win this series in six. But you know, Detroit's up 20 now. I think Cleveland's going to be heard from. They haven't played a home game yet, but what if they're not? And Detroit ends up taking care of business in a sweep and they're sitting there, you know, twiddling their thumbs and all of a sudden you're playing a game five and a game six against the team that you're better than. Don't even make it happen.

[B]

That's it.

[C]

Don't even think it into existence.

[B]

Send the message.

[C]

Carl is in Westchester. You're on ESPN New York.

[D]

Hey, good afternoon. Hey. I gotta say first, Rosenberg, I hate that you left 97. I don't even listen to them anymore because of that.

[B]

Yeah, Why'd you leave?

[D]

Thank you.

[B]

What's your name, sir?

[D]

Carl. My name is Carl.

[C]

Carl. Thank you, Alan. Also thank you.

[D]

But I gotta say, my anxiety level is at an 11 through 20 this whole playoff because really such a Nick fan that I, I, this is the honest truth. I record all the games and I don't watch until 11 o' clock at night because I need to forward through the commercials. I need to see all this because I'm so anxious about what's getting ready to happen. People aren't even allowed to call me because I don't want to hear nothing. I don't want nothing to go on.

[A]

Wow.

[D]

And, and the thing is, I need the Knicks to win tonight. It's a must win. And the reason I say that is because I want them to give OG a chance to rest. But the problem with OG Wrestling is that he loses his rhythm. And I don't want him to lose that rhythm.

[B]

No, he's shooting 60%. It's so true. Great point. Great point.

[D]

This guy is. He's been unbelievable. He's been that to me, that number one guy when. Throughout the whole. For the first three quarters, the last quarter, I give it. We got. We got Big Body Brunson coming in there and, and doing what he does. I get that. But for those first three quarters, we got OG and this guy has been fabulous. But I hate. We need to give him that rest. It's unbelievable. It's. We have to. But I don't. I don't want him to lose his rhythm.

[B]

That's such a. You know what? If, if you guys. If we still had the point God thing like this would be a point guard because that.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

The rhythm thing with OG is such a critical piece. That's why this guy's definitely a Knicks fan. Because it does. When he misses time, usually his first game back after missing a couple of games, he's a little off. And guys, he's been so locked in. 62% from the field in the playoffs so far. 51 from three. That's unheard of numbers. But that's what he's been. And you don't want to lose that rhythm. I bet you he's probably thinking the same thing. I'm in rhythm right now. I'm feeling good. I don't want to lose this. But how could you go all day and not. So no one texts you, no one calls you, no alerts on your phone. And at 11 o' clock you watch the game back knowing that everybody already knows what happened. That would drive me crazy.

[C]

I get that tension and how much easier it would be to kind of fast forward through commercials and all that. But I don't know if I'd be able to. To wait until 11 o' clock knowing the game is going on. The temptation would be too great to kind of just peek in on the score. Let me see what's going on in the first quarter. And I can always skip to the second quarter later. I don't know if I'd be able to not look at it. God, it's hard. Andrew Gunling, when he was producing us on the K show, I remember he would always talk about there'd be times where he'd have to DVR the game because of work or things going on. And he, he would shut his phone off, not be able to. And I don't know how he was able to do that. I've tried it and I could never do it. I'd always need to pee. I would not be able to. Not look and see.

[B]

Just check.

[C]

I don't really, I don't think it's like a reasonable. If the game's too important to me, it's like I'd rather catch it. I know people who are good at it, man, they'll really turn it off. They get home, watch the whole thing. Beginning to endiadon. I'm with the. If it's a huge game, I can't do it.

[B]

No.

[C]

If this is any indication, we've got three callers on hold. All of them on their way to Philadelphia.

[B]

I love this.

[C]

Well, let me, let me add.

[B]

Get in. By the way, tickets. $161 right now. I'm seeing.

[C]

I was just looking vivid all all over on Ticketmaster. All over the lower bowl. And by that I mean like you know, you know, 20 rows up from the court, 300 to 500 bucks, which is such a steal. Oh, relative to what the Garden is.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

I got news for you. This is going to be considering at the. Don't forget the embiid statement after Game 7 against the Celtics. This whole. Don't sell your tickets. We need you, Philly. If you need money, I got you. In terms of that. This is a disaster. Tonight is going to be a disaster. Oh, by the way, we do have confirmation. OG out tonight for the next line

[B]

now plus two and a half. Wait, the line moved?

[C]

Well, I guess it had moved earlier. According to the caller that we had. Is that two? I saw two and a half about.

[B]

It was hours ago. Yeah, it was already. Now it's three and a half.

[C]

Well, is it now the money sliding towards obviously Philly with the news that OG is out. So when we started the show sound like he was gonna be a game time decision. That decision made right now an hour and a half before tip off that OG is out. Chris on his way to Philly. You're on. Don Hanna, Rosenberg.

[D]

What's going on guys? Yeah, I just got pulled up to the, to the stadium right now. I just parked him in. Like objectively speaking. No, like Phantom aside, I genuinely do see more Knicks fans than I see Sixers fans in the parking lot.

[B]

Oh yeah, Sunday going down tonight. Sunday's tickets as well right now available from 171. And by the way, just in case There's a game five at the Garden. They're starting at 498.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. Like that's something to keep an eye on too.

[D]

Yeah. We got our tickets I think the night of game seven once at that time they were like 270 years ish about. But yeah, this parking lot, it's majority next fans. From what I see. It's I'd say like 60, 40.

[C]

It's so interesting, Chris and have fun tonight and hopefully a good karma being down there. But we talked about it, remember Peter back after going into Game 2 on Wednesday about obviously if the Sixers win that could change things. But would being in a game be enough to engage the Sixers fans to believe. And it was a six point game and 25 lead changes in the game. But I think ultimately what the Sixer fan is looking at is we had our chance to even the series. We didn't. We're not good enough. Embiid's not right. You know, Nick. Nick up to Nick. Fans are going to be spending good money. Let me get rid of my tickets. I guys, I just wanted to go bet and I was going to throw some. Some cash on the money line.

[B]

Well, you can't.

[C]

I can't. Can't do it.

[B]

Unless you put that money into Hard Rock. Yeah. Where you are. That stinks. What do you mean put it in the Hard Rock? The only legal sports betting app in the state of Florida is Hard Rock Bet Live. Every. Every state has certain ones they approve. The only one that Florida has approved is Hard Rock Bet Live. By the way, can Don do it for you? Anybody can do it from anywhere, really.

[C]

You've got to keep this alive. Peter, get a catamaran.

[A]

We'll call the Mubadla people and we'll get you one to get you to

[B]

South Carolina or wherever the closest state that FanDuel is approved in. And you can do it.

[C]

See if Natalie can log in.

[B]

Let me see. By the way, in the meantime, Joel Embiid, according to Nick Nurse, I think he's gonna give it a shot here, but we'll see. Quit still questionable. So they haven't made a final decision yet for him. So interesting. Gonna give it a shot here is what he said, which is an interesting way to put it.

[D]

If he.

[C]

If he doesn't play tonight, and I think he will because I think this is all gamesmanship.

[B]

I agree.

[C]

Then you can't say he was held out of game two precautionary. Save him for later in the series because if he doesn't play in game three, down two. Oh, he just couldn't play in game two, Right.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And I don't think that was the case. I think it was just, you know, let's, let's, let's see if we can get through without him. Almost worked. He's got to play tonight, man, because they're not coming back from three. Nothing.

[B]

You got it right. You got to think, like, he's got to give it everything he's got tonight. And if they lose tonight, then of course you can just. Then shut it down in game four. It's too quick of a turnaround.

[C]

God, they're all listening to us on the turnpike. Dave's on his way to love this.

[B]

This is what I want. Let me hear the parade.

[C]

What's up, Dave?

[D]

What's up, guys?

[B]

What's up?

[D]

On our way to our first Knicks game ever. Me and my brother, ever.

[A]

Wow.

[C]

So your first Nick game ever is gonna be a playoff game in Philly.

[B]

I love it. What inspired this trip?

[D]

Just wanted to see the Knicks dominate us for once. And the affordability.

[B]

And the affordability. Yeah, I think that probably was the first. Not wrong. Yeah, I love it.

[D]

Let's take over this stadium.

[C]

New York, this is. Listen, I.

[B]

It's gonna be some atmosphere, man, but

[C]

the two things that I'm proudest of and Dave, thank you for the phone call. Safe travels.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

Is the Knick fans are going and they're listening to us while they're going.

[B]

Do we have Ty Butler tonight or is it Pat o' Keefe tonight? After the game, we have nobody after the game tonight we have nobody because

[A]

we have the Mets and the Diamondbacks.

[C]

I've been reading like you dream about.

[A]

So. Really, Don, you know what the problem is? And we always ask, why do we

[B]

have to read this so many times? Our listeners listen.

[A]

Well, Alan wasn't listening, so clearly we need.

[B]

Need to read it more times.

[C]

When I'm reading it, I'm a dog whistle, Alan.

[D]

Oh, that.

[A]

You know what?

[C]

That's when I'm reading, not the show when I'm reading. He knows he's good take. I've read it four times.

[B]

I know you have. I know you have because I was. All I was suggesting was everybody driving back. You know, be a fun to have everybody call on the way back then, too, you know, But I guess just call us on Monday, tweet us next.

[A]

Call Dan tomorrow morning.

[B]

He'll be on tweet tomorrow. I like it.

[C]

All right, Mike. He's in Philly. You're on ESPN New York. Let's keep it going. What's up, man?

[D]

Hey, guys. I actually live here, so.

[C]

There you go.

[D]

One of the hardest parts of living in Philly is the sports. That's. That's like the only thing I can't stand about the city. Otherwise, I actually love it.

[C]

Well, tonight it's actually working out for you.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

Yeah. So I, I got, I got like, pretty good seats in the upper bowl for like 225. So I'm, I'm. I mean, it's got to be what, at least half the getting class of msg. Oh, my God.

[C]

Maybe.

[B]

Maybe better even.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

You did all right.

[D]

Yeah, it's. It's like a no. It's a no brainer. So I'm, I'm excited to hear that people are already outside the stadium. I already see more Nick fans. So it's. The one thing the city got right is how to get it there. I could get there in like 15 minutes.

[C]

What do they charge for parking there, Mike?

[B]

Wow.

[C]

Because they got, they got a lot outside.

[D]

It was, I think like the baseball

[C]

stadiums, like 30, maybe 40.

[D]

But all the, all the, all the stadiums have the parking lots right next to each other.

[C]

Well, yeah, they're all like.

[D]

It just turns into one big thing. Yeah. So they got that right. It's nothing like the city like, you

[C]

know, New York, you know, otherwise, I can't stand it. Listen, I got no love. Could I be for Philly like you? But that, that's set up down there with the link and the, the Flyers and the Sixers and the Philly, all there. But I will tell you, for everybody that's on their way to going there, it's going to be tough getting out.

[B]

Yep.

[C]

Because the, because the Phillies are home. The Phillies are playing at 640. So the Phillies have a game and I've been there. I took Nancy TO A. In 2010, a Flyers, Canadiens playoff game. And I took her to the game and the Phillies were playing the Padres. We. We didn't even bother starting a car. We just like just hung out, listen to music because we were not moving out of that lot. So hopefully it's a celebration. Find a bar someplace, get a Philly cheesesteak. You're not getting home anytime soon after that game is over.

[B]

Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know. It's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter. Weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 880 ESPN. The ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.

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