After an all-time end on the finish of Sport 2 of this collection, Sport 3 between the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers continued to dwell as much as the hype of this I-95 match-up. New York made it a degree to return out robust on this one, and consequently it was the primary time by way of the primary 3 video games that New York gained the primary quarter for the primary time this collection and held a lead at halftime. The sport fully flipped on its head although within the third quarter, the place Philadelphia caught fireplace that quarter and seemingly countered each Knicks 2-point basket with a 3-ball. Philadelphia went 9/12 from 3 within the interval and scored 42 factors whole within the third behind the duo of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. That blitzkrieg within the third allowed Philadelphia to show a 3-point halftime deficit right into a 13 level lead going into the 4th. The Knicks, led by 39 factors from Jalen Brunson, hung round all through the ultimate body however have been by no means in a position to get inside 5 once more.
Observations
Issues have been bodily and chippy proper out of the gate between these two groups. Philadelphia was referred to as for 2 Flagrant 1 fouls within the first quarter, one on Kyle Lowry and one on Joel Embiid. It may have been argued that Embiid obtained away with one other flagrant foul when he kneed Isiah Hartenstein within the groin just some performs earlier than selecting up the flagrant he obtained tagged with.
Embiid may be banged up and he undoubtedly hasn’t moved all that nice on this collection, however he was spectacular tonight. Even with a bum knee, the massive fella can simply flat-out shoot the basketball. His 50 factors, probably the most he’s ever scored in a playoff sport, largely got here from out on the perimeter. Embiid went 13/19 from the sector, together with 5/7 from 3 and 19/21 from the free throw line. His 19 makes from the charity stripe have been as many because the Knicks took as a staff.
Jalen Brunson was taking pictures simply 29% by way of the primary two video games of this collection. Philadelphia has clearly made it a degree that Brunson will get nothing straightforward this collection, however one thing lastly clicked within the first half for him on this one. He paced New York within the first half with 17 factors on 7/15 taking pictures, together with 3/4 from past the arc. He stored it going with 13 within the third quarter and completed the sport with 39 factors on 13/27 taking pictures, his finest exhibiting up to now on this collection. The Knicks might want to see extra of this from Brunson going ahead if they are going to get previous Embiid and the 76ers.
Tyrese Maxey was simply as large in that third quarter run for Philly as Embiid was. Maxey had a gradual begin to this one, however completed with 25 factors and seven assists.
That third quarter was an insane taking pictures show from Philadelphia. These highlights are must-see as soon as they’re posted someplace earlier than the top of the night time.
Donte DiVincenzo had this vicious slam off a again door lower late within the 2nd quarter that had me up off my seat.
Tobias Harris, who was averaging simply 8.5 factors within the first two video games towards the Knicks, drew boos from the Philly crowd halfway by way of the 2nd quarter after lacking a pair seems inside. No followers fairly like these within the Metropolis of Brotherly Love! Harris completed with 8 factors.
The collection resumes for Sport 4 in Philly Sunday night time at midday central time on ABC.
