The Sixers are not dead! There will be a Game 6 after Philadelphia's victory in overtime tonight in a white-hot Madison Square Garden. It took a Joel Embiid with a triple-double, a pair of Oubre-Harris lieutenants and a Tyrese Maxey in the form of his life to allow Philly to overcome Jalen Brunson (40 points) and win. get out alive.
The Sixers failed to contain the MSG pressure cooker, ready to explode at the slightest opportunity. After a successful 10-2 to start the game, Nick Nurse's men faltered for the first time, when OG Anunoby started hostilities with a counter on Joel Embiid and a dunk, and Josh Hart followed with a 2+ 1 and a basket under the circle to bring his team to -1 (15-16).
A legendary Brunson-Maxey duel!
Despite the 8-0 passed by Philly to end the first act (17-26), the Knicks kept control, unleashing lightning with a 12-0. Jalen Brunson was at the start and conclusion of this completely crazy run, also fueled by the McBride-Anunoby pair from afar (35-28). But the Sixers held on until the break, capped by a lay-up at the buzzer from Tyrese Maxey (49-43).
The third quarter turned into a real trench war, in which Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid were able to break away to face the trio of snipers Brunson-DiVincenzo-Anunoby and allow Philadelphia to take the lead again (68-69 ). But what can we say about the last quarter, a model of intensity and suspense, all in an atmosphere like only MSG can produce.
3-pointers from Nicolas Batum and Tyrese Maxey allowed the Sixers to get off to the best start (72-77). New York responded very quickly, delivering a 10-0 fueled by Miles McBride still in all the good shots (82-77). But the Knicks came across a fiery Tyrese Maxey who continued his exploits to keep his team alive.
Maxey saves the Sixers with a 3-pointer from the logo!
With 12 points scored in the “money-time”, including a 3+1 and the 3-point equalizer from the logo 8 seconds from the end, the leader of the Sixers thus forced an unexpected extension (97-97) . Jalen Brunson scored the first five points of the “overtime”, until the saving burst of Philly, who responded with a 9-0, the work of the untenable Maxey at 3-points, Kelly Oubre on the counter. attack and 2+1 from Joel Embiid (102-106).
Jalen Brunson managed to equalize with a miraculous 3-pointer in his turn (106-106), but it was Philadelphia who got away with the last word, thanks to a lay-up from Kelly Oubre on a service from Nicolas Batum, then throws from Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey. The appointment is made for Game 6 in Pennsylvania.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
The Maxey miracle. Even if we know the leader of the Sixers capable of such exploits, that of this night will undoubtedly have a very special place in the beautiful collection of Tyrese Maxey, again author of a breathtaking match. In addition to carrying his team on his shoulders, the Most Improved Player 2024 shattered his career record in the playoffs with 46 points. Without his heat in the “money-time”, the Sixers would already be on vacation.
Joel Embiid's triple-double. Clumsy shooting (7/19), the Philly pivot was able to compensate with his 10 assists which allowed him to validate his 8th career triple-double, his very first in the playoffs. He was still present by scoring important baskets at the end of the match like his 2+1, while still providing his deterrent in defense, as Jalen Brunson was able to attest at the end.
A massive blow for the Knicks. New York seemed to control the end of the match and had the opportunity to practically fold the game with 19 seconds remaining at +2 in the score when Josh Hart showed up on the penalty line. Like OG Anunoby a few seconds earlier, the winger let slip a precious point in passing which was very costly in the end. The Knicks will perhaps bite their fingers.
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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.
