The Philadelphia 76ers have been in a position to hold their season alive thanks largely to an enormous sport from Tyrese Maxey that led to a 112-106 win over the New York Knicks on the highway at Madison Sq. Backyard. The Knicks appeared able to put the sport away and transfer on to the following spherical, however some missed free throws and an insane shot from Maxey opened the door for Philadelphia to steal one on the highway and reside to battle one other day.
Observations
New York is in roughly the identical spot Philadelphia was in just a bit over every week in the past after shedding that nail biter in Recreation 2 the place the Knicks got here up large late. That they had this sport and the collection gained, a 6 level lead with 29 seconds to go earlier than Tyrese Maxey occurred and all of it fell aside for them. They’ve 2 extra possibilities to shut this factor out, however will probably be a tall job. Whereas the Philadelphia crowd was shockingly very Knicks pleasant in Video games 3 and 4, however to select your self up off the mat after being so near wrapping issues up at house? Recreation 6, then, can be a really early check in these playoffs of the Knicks’ psychological fortitude.
Joel Embiid has made no associates in New York Metropolis throughout this collection. Embiid, who complained concerning the variety of Knicks’ followers who made the journey Philadelphia within the aftermath of Recreation 4, was showered with boos each single time he touched the ball by the Backyard devoted.
Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 46 factors and was flat-out unbelievable tonight. His 3 that tied the sport at 97 and despatched it to OT was arguably the most important shot of the postseason to date contemplating a loss tonight would have despatched Philadelphia house for the summer time. As an alternative, they’re heading house with their playoff hopes very a lot alive.
Embiid, who missed Philly’s shoot round this morning with a migraine, wasn’t the scoring pressure that he usually is and the Knicks really did an incredible job at protecting him off the road (simply 6 makes an attempt tonight after 12+ in every of the earlier 4 video games). He discovered different methods to affect the sport although, gimpy leg, migraine and all, ending with a triple double and an enormous steal off of Brunson as OT reached its conclusion.
Tobias Harris lastly broke by the 10-point barrier tonight, scoring 19 and developing with what have been basically the game-clinching free throws in additional time.
Jalen Brunson was stellar for essentially the most half as soon as once more. He led the Knicks with 40 factors, however undoubtedly urgent the problem at occasions. He’ll have to be on his A+ sport if the Knicks are to by some means shut this factor out on the highway Thursday night time.
Mitchell Robinson returned after a 1-game absence attributable to an ankle harm he suffered after taking part in simply 12 minutes in Recreation 3. Robinson beforehand missed 4 months of the season attributable to an ankle harm that required surgical procedure.
It felt just like the Knicks gave away too many possessions attempting to make house run performs on outlet passes tonight, resulting in turnovers at occasions the place perhaps it might have been smarter to decelerate and run some offense.
Recreation 6 is ready for Thursday at 7:30 on TNT.
