Knicks Hold Serve
To use a tennis reference – the Knicks held serve. AKA – did what they were supposed to do. It was an ugly game. But that was Philly’s gameplan given they were missing one of their best players in Embiid. As soon as Embiid was announced out, a mysterious ‘illness’ was then announced minutes later for backup center Mitchell Robinson – hmmm sketchy
From the tip you could tell Philly was making a point to come out playing very aggressive, foul-happy defense and using the gameplan of ‘refs can’t call them all’ – similar to what the Pistons usually play like. Very handsy, basically fouling on every play and putting the refs in tough spots the entire game. The refs as always, could not handle the game AT ALL. It’s mindblowing to see these refs make a mockery of basketball over-and-over, year-after-year and nothing will change. The first half was hard to watch. It’s like the whole Sixers team sniffed smelling salts before each time out. Mike Breen called it a ‘frantic pace’ he was right on the money. Sixers were acting and playing frantically and it showed.
1H, Philly shot 42% from 3 and everyone knew that wasn’t going to last. Bums like Kelly Oubre and Paul George each had 3 or 4 triples in the first half. Not gonna last… Also the refs were atrocious in the first half. Every reckless out-of-control drive by the Sixers was rewarded with soft nonexistent fouls. Of course Towns was in foul trouble immediately. At half time, watching the game it felt like the Knicks should have been down 10. But they went into half only down 1.
2nd half the Knicks were able to get a lead by the 4Q and build it up to about 6/7 with 5min left and held on. KAT had more time on the floor and without Embiid Philly really just has nobody that should be able to guard him. Brunson can score almost at will on any of the Sixers guard. I’m surprised they haven’t switched Oubre or George on Brunson yet full time, because Philly guards can’t handle his game. The Knicks defense stepped up in the 2H too — holding Philly to just 12 points in the 4th and forcing 10 second-half turnovers.”
The biggest storyline from this game has now turned to the health of OG. Looked like he pulled himself off the floor with a pulled hammy. And thats not a new injury concern for him. OG’s three point shooting this playoff has been amazing. He also guards the one of the best players nightly and is an indispensable part of this team success.
Prayers up for a speedy OG recovery.
