Celtics' Mitchell Robinson strategy blows up in their face

The strategy blew up in Mazzulla's face as Tom Thibodeau kept Robinson on the floor until the Knicks reached the bonus with 2:41 left in the fourth quarter. When the Knicks reached the foul threshold, he swapped Robinson for OG Anunoby. It proved a masterstroke as the Knicks could make a substitution without calling a timeout. 

The C's similarly fouled Robinson in the series opener, repeatedly sending the 7-footer to the line, where he shot 3-of-10. After the Game 1 win, Thibs stressed that the Celtics feared Robinson's menacing defensive presence and intentionally fouled him out of respect. 

Robinson views Boston's tactic as a badge of honor. 

"Actually, that [fouling] makes me feel like a threat," he said. "You want me out the game? ...I'm just saying, you trying to get me out the game? Why y'all want me out the game?

Robinson is a +16 through the first two games — by far the best plus/minus among players from both teams. 

The Knicks have thrown the Celtics off guard by fielding Robinson and Karl-Anthony Towns in double-big lineups. As a result, they're no longer playing in drop coverage and instead switching onto Boston's shooters on the three-point line. During the regular season, Towns was the sole big on the floor, and his inability to switch out to the perimeter was a concern and the reason for New York's defensive woes. 

Robinson, though, has shown proficiency in switching out to wings and guards, which has caused problems for Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.

The Celtics must crack the Mitchell Robinson problem if they plan to dig themselves out of a 2-0 hole.