We will have to seriously be wary of the Knicks… Since the arrival of OG Anunoby, Tom Thibodeau's men have still not lost, and last night, they signed their best victory of the season: +36 on the Knicks floor. Sixers! And Joel Embiid was there…
It is also he who puts the Sixers on the right track through his domination in the opposing racket, but also his ability to launch a quick game like on this counter-attack punctuated by Tyrese Maxey (19-14). And then, Miles McBride comes into play, and he catches fire: four 3-pointers in a row! The young leader celebrated his contract extension in the best possible way, and the Knicks won 16-2 to take control of the match (32-28).
A fatal 21-1 in the last quarter
OG Anunoby adds another layer, then it's Precious Achiuwa and Jalen Brunson who continue this 3-point contest. The Knicks no longer miss anything, and the Sixers are on the ropes (54-43). On the grounds of his university exploits, Brunson is untenable, and the Knicks widen the gap to lead 75-55 at the break! To make matters worse, on the Sixers side, Joel Embiid hurt his knee…
The 2023 MVP reassures his fans and his staff by pushing Isaiah Hartenstein in the 3rd quarter. But Embiid lacks support, and the gap stabilizes around 10-15 points. Nick Nurse tries everything with a very high defense, and two-man catches near the sidelines. The Knicks thwart them, and the gap grows again. This time, it's Quentin Grimes who makes the difference with eight points in a row to restore the lead to 20 points. In three minutes, the Knicks go 21-1! The Mass is said, and the Knicks send a message to the Eastern Conference with this very large victory in Philadelphia.
What you must remember
– OG Anunoby undefeated with the Knicks. Three games, three victories for the Knicks since the transfer to the Raptors. Author of 11 points, Anunoby brings such toughness and versatility to defense. In the same sequence, we see him defending on Tyrese Maxey then Joel Embiid. And he rarely loses his duels.
– A +/- record for Josh Hart. Never has a Knicks player finished a game with such a +/-. The New York do-it-all winger finished the game with a +46 rating when he was on the field. This is a franchise record, but it remains far from the absolute record, established by Luc Mbah a Moute with +57 in 2017 during a Rockets-Nuggets.
– Embiid saves his series. With 30 points and 10 rebounds, the Sixers pivot has a 16th game in a row with 30 points or more, and a 15th game in a row with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds.
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
