New York Knicks big man Isaiah Hartenstein will be getting the difficult assignment of trying to slow down Joel Embiid in the first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers.Hartenstein was asked during his press conference about how the Knicks will defend Embiid and he stated they have to be aware of him trying to get fouls.

“He’s going to seek fouls, so I think that’s the main thing,” Hartenstein said.“Through fouls, he’ll get his little breaks, easy free throws, so that’s probably the main focus, is not really letting him to the line and going from there.”

“Knowing at the end of the day he’s the MVP, so he’s going to get some calls that maybe don’t go in your favor,” Hartenstein stated.“It’s really just doing your job, playing team defense, and don’t really put your hands in because he’s going to try to get it in him.It’s smart from him, I mean why not use it? I’m not saying it’s bad, if he’s smart enough to do it and we keep doing it, then that’s kinda on us.”

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Isaiah Hartenstein on how the Knicks will defend Joel Embiid in the playoffs:

“He’s going to seek fouls, so that’s the main thing.Through fouls, he’ll get his little breaks, easy free throws, so that’s the main focus is not letting him to the line and going from there.

He’s… pic.twitter.com/wDHWiVjWte

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Hartenstein says the Knicks have to be smart enough to not allow Embiid to deploy his usual tricks to get fouls.He understands the reigning MVP will get some calls regardless, but wants the Knicks to remain disciplined.

I am sure that has been the message in most locker rooms before games against Embiid.The seven-time All-Star still managed to get to the line on a consistent basis, as he averaged a league-high 11.7 free throws per game.

The Knicks themselves could not keep Embiid away from the line in the only game he played against them this season.

When the two teams met on Jan.5, he went 9-12 from the line to finish the game with 30 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 3 blocks.

What the Knicks did manage to do that night, though, was win.They crushed the 76ers 128-92 in what was the worst defeat of the campaign for Philadelphia.While they couldn’t prevent Embiid from getting over 10 free throws, their defense limited the 76ers to just 40.7% shooting from the field.

The Knicks would be hoping to stifle that 76ers offense in a similar fashion in this upcoming series as well.If they do that, it wouldn’t matter how many free throws Embiid ends up getting.

Related: New York Knicks vs.Philadelphia 76ers: Analysis, Comparison, Prediction.