Tensions flared during Game 5 between the Knicks and 76ers. The Knicks were hoping to end the series in The Garden. The Sixers were ready to do anything to save their season. The intensity spilled over on the court in physical ways. There were fouls here and there. But the Inside Guys couldn’t look past them over the outcome of the game. With two of the biggest foul-happy guys on the panel, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal debated that foul-heavy game.

In the first quarter, Mitchell Robinson and Kelly Oubre got into a scuffle involving Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. The situation had Chuck yelling, “Foul! Foul!” at the game highlights. Maxey was the clutch hero of the day, making 46 points, including three back-to-back 3-pointers and the shot that stretched the game into overtime. The first of his 3-pointers was fouled on him by Robinson, something Tom Thibodeau admitted later was a mistake that cost them.

“Why are you contesting that?” Barkley had yelled at the screen after the mistakes were done and the outcome wouldn’t change. Emotions ran higher in Studio J as New York made mistake after mistake. Maxey erased the Knicks’ lead sinking his free throws efficiently.

Even Robinson was dismayed at himself after the game. The Knicks admitted fouls were made when they shouldn’t have. But the biggest debate was about the foul that was not made. Something ‘100% foul guy’ Chuck couldn’t fathom.

Chuck disappointed in Knicks’ mistake

The Sixers were trailing by three with less than half a minute to regulation. The Sixers inbounded the ball when Maxey ran the length of the floor and made a shot from the Knicks logo, tying them 97 a piece which led the game to overtime. The Sixers saw their chances of survival renewed and went for 15 points, winning the game 112-106 and standing at 2-3 in the series. Barkley was the happiest about his team winning, but he also questioned the strategic opportunity the Knicks let go of. Even Ernie Johnson was sure that Chuck would not like that.

“I fouled 100% of the time,” Barkley said. “It’s just a bonehead play in my opinion.” Most analysts and even Tom Thibodeau felt the Knicks should’ve fouled Maxey with time on the clock. Chuck even noticed that Thibodeau was disappointed and he knows why. “I’m a ‘always foul’ guy situation and you can see on Coach Thibodeau’s face those guys screwed that up.” The severe communication breakdown on the Knicks’ end made for some very frustrated Inside Guys.

Hypothetically, different scenarios could’ve played out in that defensive possession during the regulation time. If the Knicks intentionally fouled and the Sixers made both free throws, the Knicks would have to hit their own free throws. If they didn’t make the free throws, the Sixers would have a shot at winning. On the other hand, if the Sixers missed, they could have an offensive rebound that still gave them a game-winning shot. For someone like Chuck or Shaq, it would’ve been a no-brainer. It’s back to the drawing board for the Knicks now as they head to Philadelphia again. Chuck’s ready for that.