"It's just a bonehead play in my opinion" - Charles Barkley goes in on the Knicks for not fouling while being up three late in regulation

To foul or not to foul when a team is up three with only seconds left in the game is a coaching tactic that’s been discussed and dissected in every locker room at every level. It’s always tricky, as players can mistime the foul and give up three free throws that could tie the game instead.

This specific situation hogged the spotlight in Game 5 of the intense first-round series between the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers. Madison Square Garden was rocking, and the Knicks were on the verge of advancing to the second round, as they led 96-90 with 28.2 seconds left.

However, the Sixers’ All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey refused to give up and completed a four-point play to trim the deficit to two. After Josh Hart split his free throws with 15.1 ticks left, Maxey dribbled the ball up the floor, received a pick from Joel Embiid, and launched a 35-footer that found nothing but the bottom of the net to tie the game up at 97-all and force overtime where Philadelphia would eventually prevail, 112-106.

Afterward, much was said about the Knicks’ decision not to foul Tyrese and send him to the line for two free throws rather than let him get off the game-tying triple. In fact, Inside the NBA’s, Charles Barkley was livid the Knicks didn’t foul Maxey.

A bonehead play

For the Hall of Famer, fouling the star guard in that situation was a no-brainer, and he explained why.

“I've been on this show all these years. I foul 100% of the time. 100% of the time, it's just a bonehead play, in my opinion. Hey, I want the lead and the ball. The two most important things in the basketball game: the lead and the ball,” Chuck said .

The outspoken forward said fans don’t have to look far for an example of why teams must always give up a foul and play the free-throw game in that situation.

In Game 3 of the Milwaukee-Indiana first-round series, the Pacers appeared to have the win in the bag as they led by three with only seconds remaining. However, Bucks veteran Khris Middleton canned a difficult triple before the regulation buzzer to send the contest to an extra session.

“Some coaches don't foul, some coaches always foul. I'm always foul guys in that situation. And you can see on Coach (Tom) Thibodeau's face those guys screwed that up because he—you see, the players that we had talked about fouled. But it didn't get to everybody and I don't understand how that happens because in that situation, like, we're going to foul immediately when they get across halfcourt,” Barkley added.

Learn the lesson from the loss

Deuce McBride, the young guard tasked with defending Maxey on that play, had a chance to wrap Tyrese up as he went through the screen. However, McBride hesitated, and as the saying goes, “he who hesitates is lost.” This momentary hesitation allowed the 76ers star to get a clean look at the basket, ultimately leading to the game-tying trey.

After the game, the 23-year-old relayed it was a bang-bang play where a split-second decision had to be made. Obviously, he made the wrong one.

“We just all should’ve been on the same page, talking, communicating a lot more. He just made great shots. Obviously a split-second decision when we should’ve been talking about it during the free throws,” Deuce said . “You don’t want to take a chance where he might go into a shooting motion. Probably should’ve been up on him a little bit more. But you just learn from it.”

Game 6 of this fantastic showdown between rivals is set for Thursday. Can the Knicks regain their composure in time to finish the Sixers off? Or will Philadelphia use the momentum gained from this come-from-behind win to snatch another win? It will be a must-watch for all basketball fans.

Related: Joel Embiid reacts to 'Fuc* Embiid' chants at MSG in Game 5 vs. Knicks: "It's not hostile"