Capela to Knicks: Hawks coming to MSG to 'send you on vacation'
With the Atlanta Hawks one win away from advancing to Round 2, Clint Capela has a message for the New York Knicks ahead of Wednesday's Game 5 at Madison Square Garden.
"We're coming to your home to win this game again and send you on vacation," the Hawks center said Tuesday, courtesy of SNY's Ian Begley.
Capela, who's averaging nine points, 13 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks through four playoff games, also took a shot at New York's attempt to play a physical brand of basketball in the series thus far.
"They're trying to play physical. I feel like if they were really physical, we'd have more problems than we have," the 27-year-old said. "I feel like they're trying to (play physical), but it's not working."
After splitting a pair of games at MSG, the Hawks have won both contests at State Farm Arena to take a commanding 3-1 series lead. Atlanta is coming off a blowout 113-96 victory in Game 4 and isn't lacking confidence heading back to New York.
"They’re trying to play tough, push our guys around, and talk shit, but we can do that too. ... We can push guys around too; we can talk shit as well, " Capela said. "What are you going to do about it? And we can get a win with it."
Knicks All-Star Julius Randle seemingly had little interest in Capela's comments.
"Why would I give a hell what Clint Capela has to say? ... Don't care," Randle said, according to The Athletic's Mike Vorkunov.
The Hawks are looking to advance to the second round for the first time since the 2015-16 season. The Knicks haven't won a playoff series since 2013.