The New York Knicks looked like a fractured unit heading into Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, confused offensively and bickering with one another in the face of the Indiana Pacers tough defense. J.R. Smith was struggling the most, going 18-of-64, or 28 percent from the field in Games 1 through 4.
Piling on to the trouble for Smith were tabloid rumors of late-night partying with R&B superstar, and known troublemaker, Rihanna. When the two were spotted together, angry Knicks fans began turning on Smith and sending unflattering messages to the singer. While the Knicks tried to downplay the rumors, Rihanna's Instagram made the story impossible to ignore.
She posted a message to her Instagram that read: "F-k you and your wack a-team!! Nobody want that desert thirsty n---a he f---d up cus his a-be hungover from clubbing every night during playoffs! So your issue ain't with rasshole me."
Smith responded to the criticism by saying, "I'm not worried about Instagram. I'm worried about the playoffs." Smith was hard on himself publicly for his shooting slump, telling reporters the series hole the Knicks are in "is on me." Thursday night, Smith wasn't electric, but he did play a more efficient brand of basketball.
The Sixth Man of the Year scored 13 points in 36 minutes while taking only 11 shots, 11 less than he did in Game 4. He also chipped in six rebounds while impacting the game defensively with three steals and a blocked shot.
As a whole, the Knicks ramped up their defense, forcing Indiana into 19 turnovers to the Knicks' 10. New York received a boost from the Pacers' poor free throw shooting as well; Indiana shot a putrid 57.6 percent from the free throw line, and 36 percent from the field.
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