It was almost cruel.
The Knicks gave the 76ers a few glimmers of hope. But, just as they kept beginning to believe they could actually make it a series, the Knicks kept yanking it right away, like a big brother toying with his little brother.
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After absorbing an early double-digit deficit, the Knicks completely took over in the second quarter. They let the 76ers pull within four near the end of the third quarter and early in the fourth, but quickly re-established double-digit leads both times.
The second time elicited a loud “Let’s go Knicks” chant from the plethora of their fans taking over Xfinity Mobile Arena. The 76ers’ PA announcer didn’t even try to hide it — he responded with a “C’mon, 76ers fans” plea to drown them out.
But it was a useless effort. The Knicks soon after rattled off a 13-3 run to take a 16-point lead. Jalen Brunson put the 76ers away. There was nothing left for 76ers fans to yell about. Xfinity Mobile Arena became a Knicks party.
And they brought themselves within touching distance of reaching the conference finals for the second straight year with a 108-94 victory in Game 3 to take a commanding 3-0 series lead.
New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson. Picture: AP Photo/Matt Slocum
New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson. Picture: AP Photo/Matt SlocumSource: AP
“They jumped out and they kind of punched us in the mouth to start the game,” coach Mike Brown said. “Our guys settled down and they figured it out the next three quarters after that first one went by. Great response by our group.
“They’re resilient, they’ve been through a lot as a veteran group and it showed tonight.”
The Knicks have won six consecutive post-season games, their most since 1999.
They did it without OG Anunoby, who was out with a right hamstring strain. And they did it with minimal contribution from Karl-Anthony Towns, who again was glued to the bench for large stretches of the game due to foul trouble.
Brunson, after starting 0-for-4 and 2-for-8 from the field, largely carried the offence and finished with a game-high 33 points — on 11-for-22 shooting from the field — along with nine assists. Nine of those points came in the fourth quarter.
Mikal Bridges, without Anunoby, stepped up and delivered 23 points — 10 of which came in an impressive second quarter. His defence on Tyrese Maxey was terrific, and he also spent significant time on Paul George.
Josh Hart had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Miles McBride started for Anunoby, but it was Landry Shamet — re-entering the rotation — who provided huge minutes in his place. He recorded 15 points on 5-for-6 shooting and closed in the fourth quarter. It was part of a huge bench advantage for the Knicks, who held an 18-point edge in bench points.
“It was definitely a team effort,” Brunson said. “Obviously, we want everyone back healthy. But it was important for everyone to step up and have the right mindset. To do whatever you gotta do to win.”
Head coach Nick Nurse of the Philadelphia 76ers. Picture: Emilee Chinn/Getty Images/AFP
Head coach Nick Nurse of the Philadelphia 76ers. Picture: Emilee Chinn/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP
Towns played just 26 minutes and finished with eight points and 12 rebounds.
The Knicks trailed by as many as 12 points in the first quarter. George was torching them and had 15 points (6-for-9 shooting) in that first quarter. The Knicks committed six turnovers as the game threatened to get away from them. But they weathered the storm and only trailed by four heading into the second quarter.
Within four minutes of the second quarter, they took the lead. And they went on to dominate the second quarter, outscoring the 76ers by 12 points. It came with a key defensive tweak, at times switching Bridges onto George as opposed to Hart.
George went scoreless the rest of the game, missing all nine shots he took.
“We had to mix up coverages on him,” Brown said. “ … Obviously with OG out, we were down a big wing. Mikal had to take that part over.”
Mitchell Robinson caught a lob from Brunson off an inbounds and dunked all over Joel Embiid to give the Knicks a five-point lead with 7:09 left in the second quarter. It was around then they took control and never looked back.
After they took the lead with 8:20 left in the second quarter, they led the rest of the way.
“That’s just what our identity is,” Hart said. “We continue to give something game after game and that’s energy. That’s what we strive to have, that energy, that physicality, that attention to detail and focus. We try to have that every game. We need to do that game after game after game.”
Much of the third quarter was defined by Robinson’s free-throw shooting. The 76ers went Hack-a-Mitch, and he was also fouled twice going up for a lob and lay-up. He went 4-for-8 from the line in the quarter.
NBA Wrap: Spurs bounce back v T-Wolves | 02:34
Embiid had 18 points for the 76ers, while Maxey added 17. But the Knicks made them footnotes.
“We withstood the first punch,” Towns said. “That’s a great team.”
The Knicks have made them look extremely ordinary.
This article initially appeared on The New York Post and was republished with permission.
WEMBY POWERS SPURS PAST T-WOLVES
A dominant Victor Wembanyama powered the San Antonio Spurs to a 115-108 win over Minnesota and a 2-1 lead in their NBA playoff series Friday.
A defensive menace all night, French superstar Wembanyama took a tight, tense and physical game out of the Timberwolves’ grasp with a stunning offensive fourth quarter including 16 points.
The 7-foot-4 prodigy, playing his first NBA post-season, finished the night in Minneapolis with 39 points overall, plus 15 rebounds and five blocks.
“I’m built for this. I love this more than anything else,” said Wembanyama.
He added: “We got the talent. We got the depth. We don’t got the experience, but we don’t care … We can go to the very top if we play like tonight consistently.”
Minnesota had been boosted by the return of their own talisman, Anthony Edwards, to the starting line-up.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama celebrates. Picture: AP Photo/Abbie Parr
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama celebrates. Picture: AP Photo/Abbie ParrSource: AP
Edwards shone in the Timberwolves’ game-one upset win but, still recovering from a knee injury, had managed just 12 points from the bench in game two’s thrashing.
He immediately returned to inspired form, playing aggressive yet patient basketball to finish with 32 points, 14 rebounds and six assists — but it was ultimately not quite enough.
The Timberwolves started dismally, missing their first 12 field goal attempts. Wembanyama shone defensively, with two big early blocks setting the tone, and forcing Minnesota to score from outside the paint.
The Timberwolves fought back, and the game was tied 51-51 at halftime. Superstars Edwards and Wembanyama dominated the first half’s scoring, managing 19 and 16 apiece, with everyone else combined shooting barely 30 per cent from the field.
After the break, the game grew angry. As Jaden McDaniels and Dylan Harper tussled for a ball, a falling Harper’s head collided with McDaniels’ knee.
Moments later, McDaniels and Stephon Castle shoved each other, drawing multiple players on both sides into a fracas.
But Wembanyama kept his cool and finished strong, scoring two long-range three-pointers to seal the win.
“Greatness,” said teammate De’Aaron Fox, of Wembanyama’s showing. “Teams are going to come out here and try to be physical with him. He fights through that, he doesn’t complain, he knows what he’s going to endure,” he added.
“He comes out here and he produces.”
— AFP