In the NBA Playoffs of 2024, the Philadelphia 76ers are still in the running. If the Sixers win on Tuesday night, they’ll have a chance to win Game 6 when they return home.
Before the 2024 NBA Playoffs began, the seventh-seeded Sixers were familiar with their opponent. Regretfully, they knew they had their number this season in New York.
During the regular season, the Sixers suffered three defeats in four games versus the Knicks. The matches weren’t really close in any of them.
The Sixers were unable to overcome a Joel Embiid injury scare in last week’s Game 1 at Madison Square Garden against the other squad. The big guy played again after missing the first half of the game due to knee pain, but the Sixers lost Game 1 by a score of seven points.
On the road, the Sixers almost stole Game 2. Unfortunately, the Sixers collapsed rather than drawing even with the series because to crucial errors and some poor call-making.
With a 0–2 hole at home, the Sixers were aware that they had to step up and stop themselves from continuing on a spiral. Joel Embiid, the Sixers’ standout center, scored 50 points to lead the team to an easy 11-point victory.
In Sunday’s Game 4, the Sixers had another chance to even the series. The Knicks totally seized over late in a game that the Sixers had early control of, despite the fact that they were playing on their home floor. There was a New York invasion in South Philadelphia.
The Knicks defeated the Sixers by five points and returned to New York up 3-1 in anticipation of Game 5.
The Sixers looked impressive on Tuesday night, especially with their season on the line. Tyrese Maxey, a seasoned guard, and Tobias Harris, a forward, gave the Sixers some life when Joel Embiid was having trouble getting his shot going. Of the Sixers’ 26 points in the first quarter, 18 were scored by the two starters combined. Nine points was the advantage Philadelphia had at the end of the first quarter.
That was not the case in the second quarter. The Knicks seized the opportunity as soon as the Sixers deployed their bench. With a 63 percent shooting percentage, New York defeated the Sixers 32–17. The Sixers trailed 49-43 at the half.
The Sixers began the second half with the same intensity they had early in the first, having picked up some steam late in the frame. But there would be no swing.
Only 37% of the Knicks’ shots were made from the field during the third quarter, which was a poor shooting performance. Despite this, they had enough to match Philadelphia blow for blow, with the lead changing twelve times. The score was 70-69 for the Knicks going into the fourth quarter.
At the beginning of the fourth quarter and over the next twelve minutes of play, no side was able to acquire a lead. The Sixers stopped the Knicks from having complete possession of the boards by making 61 percent of their shots.
Tyrese Maxey got to work on the offensive end and put up a 17-point quarter, but Philly’s failure to manage the ball hindered their hopes of pushing ahead and pulling away. The Sixers forced overtime despite missing a chance to seize the lead and win the game in regulation thanks to a strong three-pointer from Maxey in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter.
In overtime, with their season on the line, the Sixers were just too strong to outwork. The Sixers defeated the Knicks 112-106 after limiting them to only 30 percent shooting from the field. New York was outscored 15-9. In 51 minutes of play, Maxey ended the game with 46 points and nine assists.
Game 6 between the Sixers and the Knicks will take place at the Wells Fargo Center on Thursday night.
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