The New York Knicks secured a thrilling 104-101 win over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series. Their resilient performance means that they now have a 2-0 lead in the series and could be on the way to their second trip to the Eastern Conference Semis in two seasons. Jalen Brunson struggled to score efficiently, but his 24 points were crucial for the New York Knicks on the night.
Tyrese Maxey had some vital buckets down the stretch and he almost won the game for Philly. However, the Knicks were determined and worked extremely hard in the dying seconds to take a 102-101 lead. Philly then had the chance to win the game with a basket on the final possession, but Joel Embiid’s wild heave did not go in and this led to the Knicks’ win.
New York had good performances from every player who was given minutes on the court. Isaiah Hartenstein, who started off the season as back-up to Mitchell Robinson, was promoted as the starter due to Robinson’s injury. He put in a great shift during the regular season and this helped him get into the starting lineup even with Robinson being fit. Hartenstein had a crucial block in the clutch and he also did a remarkable job on Joel Embiid which proved his ability in big-game situations.
New York Knicks have a solid team and could cause problems in the East
The New York Knicks had a stellar regular season and clinched the second seed with a 50-32 record. Despite injuries to Julius Randle and OG Anunoby, they showcased resilience and played some great basketball to make their presence felt among the other contenders in the league. Coached by Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks have solid players that can get the job done on both ends of the floor.
Jalen Brunson has been one of their key players and this season his game has helped him get a lot of recognition in the MVP conversation. The guard has averaged 28.7 PPG on 47.9% shooting from the field and 40.1% shooting from three-point range.
Others like Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo have also stepped up and their two-way ability has certainly been a major boost for the Knicks. One of the players who has transcended the Knicks to contenders is OG Anunoby, the former Raptor has been a maverick of a defender since joining New York earlier this year. The team have a 20-3 record with him in the lineup and this indicates how important he is to the franchise.
Can the New York Knicks represent the East in the NBA Finals?
The New York Knicks have the advantage in their series against the Philadelphia 76ers. Although they now will travel to Philly for the next two games, they will be confident in their abilities as a team. Philly has gotten some big performances from Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, but they will need other players to step up as well.
The Knicks’ physical playing style is certainly bringing a lot of heat to the series. Joel Embiid is not fully fit and even if he can continue putting up good performances, this series is taking a toll on his health. The Knicks will have to stay aggressive and force the reigning MVP to make tough shots as that is their only chance to win the series. They have one of the most cohesive sides in the leagues and if it all works well, they could be the team to beat in the East.
