The bodily I-95 match-up between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers continued to stay as much as the hype in Recreation 4. The 76ers had a number of moments the place they regarded like they have been going to drag away and tie this factor up, however New York answered each Sixers run with vicious battle. Jalen Brunson dominated from the beginning and etched his identify into New York Knick franchise historical past with a defining efficiency that now has Philadelphia on the point of elimination regardless of the efforts of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
Observations
Jalen Brunson received referred to as for a foul within the 1st quarter on Kyle Lowry whereas he was laying on the bottom, a 3-point capturing foul at that. Brunson fell chasing Lowry over a display screen and was referred to as for the foul after Lowry went into his shot and stepped on the Knicks guard’s chest. The 38 yr previous Lowry stays one of many league’s preeminent pests. The wily vet drew two extra massive fouls late, one coming throughout an important Philadelphia inbound that gave the 76ers one shot and possession in a 5-point sport with lower than a minute to go.
New York Knicks gamers not named Jalen Brunson got here out of the gate gradual within the 1st quarter. Brunson had 12 of New York’s 17 factors within the body and 23 within the first half on 10/15 capturing and the Knicks wanted each single one among them. Brunson persevering with his improved capturing from a giant Recreation 3 after capturing simply 29% from the ground within the two video games at Madison Sq. Backyard.
Brunson continued his onslaught within the 2nd half, going off for 15 within the third quarter. He left the sport earlier than the beginning of the 4th quarter with a little bit of a limp, requiring consideration within the locker room, however made his means again into the sport on the 10 minute mark. He completed with a Knicks franchise file 47 factors, the final two sealing the win for New York on the free throw line. He additionally turned the primary Knick to ever have a 40 level, 10 help sport in franchise historical past.
Joel Embiid, whom it was lately introduced is coping with Bell’s Palsy, was much less sharp than he was within the final sport during which he put up 50. Embiid paced Philadelphia with 10 within the first quarter, however had simply 4 within the 2nd. The third quarter noticed him actually work his match-up with Isaiah Hartenstein and get to the road a handful of occasions on his approach to 12 factors within the interval, however he had simply 1 level within the 4th in a sport the Sixers misplaced by simply 5. Embiid performed the whole 2nd half, a choice that will weigh on Nick Nurse’s thoughts going ahead.
Embiid shot 14 free throws on this one in comparison with 21 in Recreation 3.
Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo mixed for 1 level within the first half, but by some means the Knicks solely trailed by 2 on the break due to Brunson’s first half heroics. Each nonetheless discovered methods to contribute, with DiVincenzo hitting some massive pictures within the third quarter (8 factors within the quarter) whereas Hart had a playoff profession excessive in rebounds (17) and got here up with big defensive performs all all through the 4th quarter, taking part in with 5 fouls for the majority of it no much less.
With each of these guys combating their pictures for a lot of the sport, OG Annunoby stepped up with 16 big factors that took a few of the burden off Brunson among the many starters as New York fought to carry on to the rope. He additionally teamed up with Hart in main the Knicks on the glass by knocking down 14 rebounds, a lot of them contested.
Tobias Harris had 8 factors early within the 2nd quarter, however completed with simply 10 for the sport. It’s been a really tough collection for Harris, who has heard boos from the house crowd in Philly greater than as soon as over these final two video games.
The 76ers are so fortunate to have hit on Tyrese Maxey. The 2023-2024 Most Improved Participant is lightning fast and terrifically athletic, however his jumper is simply as lethal. The quantity of stress he places on a protection is a particular high quality. He did battle together with his shot on this one, going simply 8/21 for 23 factors within the sport although, the worst miss coming off a large open 3 with the 76ers down 1 late within the 4th.
The Knicks received the bench match-up 14-6 due to 13 big factors from Miles “Deuce” McBride. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau opted to have McBride in to shut the sport over DiVincenzo.
Tons of Knicks’ followers have been within the Philly crowd as soon as once more at the moment, and greater than as soon as a, “Let’s go Knicks!” chant was audible on the ESPN broadcast. They have been even capable of overwhelm 76er followers for quite a few Philly gamers have been on the free throw line, together with Embiid. Among the many trustworthy to make the journey down I-95 have been former Knick John Starks.
Groups who go up 3-1 are 268-13 all-time within the NBA historical past, 78-3 within the first spherical.
The Knicks have an opportunity to shut out the collection Tuesday evening in entrance of their dwelling crowd. Tip-off is at 6:00 PM CT on TNT. A victory would give them some down-time as they await the winner of the Milwaukee Bucks – Indiana Pacers match-up.
