KNICKS CRUISE PAST SIXERS IN PHILLY

The Knicks storm out the gate by dismantling the 76ers, handing them a fifth-straight home loss in the first game after the All-Star break.

The New York Knicks (34-22) return after the All-Star break with some familiar faces back in the starting lineup only to dominate the Philadelphia 76ers (32-23). The final score of 110-96.

In the first half, Jalen Brunson stripped the ball for a steal and dropped in a lay-up on the fast-break. After this, 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey fired back with a three. With his return, DiVincenzo was already seen hustling at the start of the game with a smart block against Tobias Harris. Three minutes in and the Knicks were showing quality ball movement. Hart contributed with a three and found Precious Achiuwa with an alley-oop. With over eight minutes and a half remaining, the Knicks continued to be in rhythm and were unstoppable. They were on a 10-0 run for over two minutes over the 76ers.

While the Knicks were off to a hot start, the 76ers stayed ice cold; they started 1-8 from the field and two turnovers. Almost halfway into the first, Buddy Hield finally connected on a three for the 76ers’ first points in what seemed like forever for them. It was at this time when Kyle Lowry checked in as a member of the 76ers for the very first time and received his first bucket with a cheeky up-and-under layup inside the key.

With just three minutes to go, Alec Burks checked into the game and immediately knocked down a wide-open three. On the Knicks’ next play, he received another wide-open three opportunity in the corner but missed it. However, Jericho Sims received a highlight play from this and claimed the put-back bucket from Burks’ miss with an explosive big-time slam dunk.

As the first quarter came to an end, Achiuwa was on fire offensively and defensively (seven points and already five rebounds). Hart was also pushing the rock heavily, grabbing buckets and boards at the same time (nine points and four rebounds), Burks with two three-pointers, and Brunson with four assists. Whereas Maxey (eight points) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (six points) were trying to keep Philadelphia alive in any way possible. However, the 76ers trailed by 11 points against the Knicks by the end of the first quarter (32-22).

In the second quarter, McBride and Bogdanović came off the bench. McBride’s jump-shot was on point from the start as well as Bogdanović’s on the next play. Lowry was making do with his 76ers’ debut, using his craftiness to create smart passes for Harris, converting a basket for his teammate. Three minutes in, Bogdanović knocked down his first catch-and-shoot corner three. Unfortunately for Lowry, this was when Sims’ elbow connected on his face and shook him up, Coach Nick Nurse having to call for a timeout here. Thus, Lowry was back in the locker room and Tyrese Maxey checked back in for him. With eight and a half minutes remaining, Hart hit a turnaround jump shot, entering double-figures at this time of the game.

With the 76ers looking much better in the second quarter, Maxey with his shiftiness scored more points for his team. Bogdanović was also performing superbly, lighting it up with 19 points off the bench in just 13 minutes, shooting 5-5 from behind the arc. With under two minutes to play, the Knicks had their largest lead of the first half: 26 points. New York ended an excellent first half up by 23 points against Philadelphia.

In the second half, Maxey opened it up with a two-point jumper. The 76ers were making adjustments with five quick points and cut the lead to 18 points. With this, Coach Thibodeau immediately called for a timeout. As both teams were returning to the court, Brunson knocked down a floater despite overall poor shooting numbers (overall, he shoots an incredible 56% on those floaters). Almost halfway into the third quarter, the Knicks’ offense was slowly depleting. The 76ers took advantage of this and cut down the lead to just 12 points.

However, Brunson would not just give up. He continued to hustle and extend the lead, fighting back regardless of his six turnovers. The Knicks went on a 9-0 run for over a minute after struggling, the lead back up to 22 points with over five minutes remaining. Lowry also made his re-entrance back into the game after receiving stitches on his forehead, determined to make more of his 76ers’ debut.

While Brunson was leading his team, the 76ers were determined to make a comeback. With under three minutes to go, Lowry cut back the lead to 12 points with a clutch three. Maxey was also not letting up, using his body to get much-needed buckets for his team, posting up impressively with 18 points, two assists, and rebounds all in the third. It was at this time when the 76ers went on a 15-3 run against the Knicks, cutting the lead down to just 10 now. However, Bogdanović answered back with another huge three, trying to quiet down the 76ers’ buildup.

By the end of the third, Brunson contributed 12 points and three more assists in the quarter. The Knicks were leading by just 91-81 against the 76ers.

Two minutes into the final quarter, Hield brought down the Knicks’ lead to single-digits with a three-pointer (91-84). After Burks missed two out of three critical free throws, the 76ers made a huge comeback with a fast-break bucket by Kelly Oubre Jr. With over seven minutes remaining in regulation, the Knicks’ lead was cut down to just six points (92-86).

The Knicks were struggling in the second half but with a magnificent first-half performance, Coach Thibs was determined to put this game away and brought back JB into the game, hoping that he’ll get back his rhythm. It was at this rate that DiVincenzo made a huge statement, plummeting much-needed threes and a huge block against Maxey. While both teams were battling for the lead, Hart brought the Knicks’ lead back up by 15 with a three-point dagger.

The Knicks were starting to cruise again here, stripping the ball and getting the coast-to-coast bucket. DiVincenzo had a big fourth quarter, posting up eight points to finish the game. Ultimately, the Knicks dominated the 76ers with the final score of 110-96.

Overall, five Knicks dominated with double figures. Three Knicks with a double-double game: Brunson (21 points and 12 assists), Achiuwa (18 points and 11 rebounds), and Hart (18 points and 12 rebounds). And Bogdanović with a beautiful game, tallying up 22 points and shooting perfectly from three (6-6). As well as DiVincenzo with a heroic finish (16 points and four three-pointers).

Although the 76ers lost against the Big Apple tonight, three players were prominent tonight. Maxey showed out the most with 35 points, six rebounds, five assists, and four three-pointers. As well as Hield and Kelly Oubre Jr. matched with 14 points in the game.