Uncertain before the start of the match (ill), Tyrese Maxey shows no signs of weakness as he starts the Sixers with three winning baskets in a row. He thus goes, on his own, a 9-0 to start. Facing the Knicks in the reaction, he is then joined by Joel Embiid, discreet at the start, who also hits 3-pointers. Philadelphia wins the first quarter (18-25).
Even if Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart find solutions offensively, the gap is still there. The Joel Embiid – Tyrese Maxey duo always does damage. When it's not Tobias Harris who does good with a winning shot in the corner. A final 3-point shot, in transition, from Hart allows the Knicks to reach the locker room with only four units behind (49-53).
In the third quarter, after several minutes of exchanging baskets, Joel Embiid comes out and New York takes the opportunity to finally take the lead. For the first time in the match, after more than thirty minutes of play. Brunson and Hart received help in this quarter, with points from Isaiah Hartenstein and OG Anunoby (79-74). They are followed by Bojan Bogdanovic, author of two winning baskets at the start of the fourth quarter.
A decisive counter from Isaiah Hartenstein
But Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey still have resources. The two-player works well and, with the baskets of the two All-Stars, the Sixers are still in the game. Better: Maxey scores a 3-pointer with 70 seconds remaining, to give Philadelphia a four-point lead. Jalen Brunson misses two important attempts, before scoring three points and coming back to one possession. There are then 27 seconds left to play.
The Sixers miss their throw-in, Josh Hart intercepts the ball and it takes two attempts from Donte DiVincenzo, behind the arc, to allow the Knicks to get back in front! Tyrese Maxey has the match point but Hartenstein counters him with his layup. Joel Embiid will have the last chance, but very far away, he misses his shot and the Knicks win 104-101. They now lead 2-0 as the series moves to Philadelphia.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Joel Embiid – Tyrese Maxey up to the task. The first is clearly not 100% with his knee problems while the second was uncertain a few hours before the interval, ill. However, they were the two best players on their team, by far. Maxey started Philadelphia with his winning shots, then the two men took control of the attack. The pivot's screens freed the outside and we only saw them in the second half. They finish with 69 points (35 for Maxey, 34 for Embiid), 19 rebounds and 16 assists, but will need more support if they want to come back at home.
– Still a solution for the Knicks. Tom Thibodeau doesn't really have this problem. None of his players was more dominant than the others in this game, however, each came out of the hat at the right time. Isaiah Hartenstein's points in the third quarter were valuable, his counter on Maxey also obviously in the final seconds. Miles McBride's shots like those of Bojan Bogdanovic pressed the Sixers in the last act, before Donte DiVincenzo added the cherry. The Knicks finish with six players at 9 points or more.
– Jalen Brunson still very average. For the second time, after the victory in Game 1, the New York All-Star (24 points) did not have a great game. The playmaker scored 8/29 on the shoot… But at least he didn't lose a ball (only one) and compensated with his 8 rebounds and 6 assists. It's almost reassuring: Jalen Brunson is not perfect and the Knicks nevertheless lead 2-0. It's hard to imagine a better scenario for him and his teammates.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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.
