Third loss in a row for the Knicksafter a series of eight consecutive victories, beaten by the 76ers at Madison Square Garden, for this first match of the Christmas marathon (119-112).
While the teammates of a super Julius Randle (35 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals) led at the end of the third quarter (96-95), the difference was made in the fourth act, largely dominated by visitors (24-16), under the impetus of a sudden heat stroke from George Niangauthor of four award-winning shots in this last act alone.
The pair Joel Embiid – James Harden was obviously the 76ers’ main strength on offense, with the two All-Stars seriously ramping up on the way back from the locker room.
It’s the eighth straight win for the 76ers, who are now just two victories behind the Cavaliers, third in the Eastern Conference. For the Knicks, a bitter defeat as their performance was honorable for most of the game. But in the last act, Tom Thibodeau’s men simply cracked against better than them.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– A decisive “run” of the 76ers in the last quarter. After a very intense third quarter offensively, which the 76ers won with a score of 35 to 33, we felt that the momentum began to swing in their favor as the final quarter began. And indeed, while the Knicks were only leading by one point after 36 minutes, Doc Rivers’ men hit hard to start this last act, inflicting a 19-4 on the residents of “MSG”! Fatal for the Knicks, who then lost the momentum on both sides of the field.
– James Harden’s score, a few hours after the rumors. Earlier in the day, ESPN revealed that James Harden was possibly considering a return to Houston in the 2023 offseason. victory: 29 points, 13 assists and 4 rebounds. His third quarter was particularly impressive, as was his “money-time”, during which he delivered several caviars for Georges Niang to bring down the Knicks for good.
TOPS & FLOPS
✅ Joel Embiid. The Cameroonian pivot signed the best individual performance of the meeting, with 35 points (15 in the third quarter) and 8 rebounds. As always, he caused carnage in the paint, scoring 22 of his 35 points there. And when he did not score, it was on the free throw line that he inflated his total (10/15 in this exercise), the pivots of the Knicks displaying all the trouble in the world to contain him (3 faults for Mitchell Robinson, 4 for Jericho Sims).
✅ De’Anthony Melton. Author of his best career season, the back of Philly, holder for several weeks in replacement of Tyrese Maxey, injured, offered solutions off for his two All-Star teammates, by planting five award-winning shots (out of seven attempts) . A perfect “role-player” match, for one of the most effective recruits of the last offseason in the entire league.
✅ Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson. All that was missing was victory for this December 25 to be perfect for the Knicks strong winger, author of a very high caliber “all-around” match, which recalled his excellent 2020/21 season. The New York leader has rebounded very well, after two average outings against the Raptors and the Bulls, with 23 points and 11 assists, for a single loss of ball.
⛔️ The Knicks bench. With the exception of Immanuel Quickley, who brought 11 points off the bench, the Knicks’ substitutes were not very inspired, the Miles McBride – Isaiah Hartenstein – Jericho Sims trio compiling only 6 small points. While the 76ers could count on 26 points from the bench. The difference is partly made here.
THE FOLLOWING
– Knicks (18-16): trip to Dallas, Tuesday night to Wednesday (2:30 a.m.)
– 76ers (20-12): trip to Washington, Tuesday night to Wednesday (01:00)
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