In a pinch, the Knicks beat the Sixers

Almost tied in the standings, with only a match and a half difference, s Sixers and the Nix participated in the XXSL duel this afternoon in Pennsylvania. The duel that brought the verdict in the last seconds and which led to the success of teammates from Jalen Brunson (31 points, 6 assists) et And the Anunobi (23 points, 7 rebounds).

Despite the huge Joel Embiid (38 points – and 28 at halftime –, 11 rebounds), Philadelphia let in the second half. From the third quarter when New York he signed an impressive series, from 65-68 to 86-72.

Before that, Joel Embiid took all the light and proved that he is indeed regaining his level of play, facing Karl-Anthony Towns (finally cleared of six fouls). But the Knicks used their dominance in offensive rebounds and other chances, as well as their better outside skills, to stay in touch at halftime (64-60).

After being outscored 21-4 in seven minutes, the Sixers didn’t give up and eventually responded with a 12-0 run in the fourth quarter. In the space of four minutes, the oncoming hit turned into a tough time, but as soon as Karl-Anthony Towns was ejected to make way for Mitchell Robinson, New York went ahead again.

To answer Joel Embiid, Landry Shamet and OG Anunoby joined forces and Anunoby’s putback + 3-point sequence hurt just as much as Shamet’s 3-pointer that cut the deficit back to +8 with about forty seconds left. Then the referees stepped back and forth on the screen, to review actions and decisions, and thus constantly sharpen the game.

Until these fatal mistakes in Philly: Tyrese Massey’s rush (at 112-109), because he anticipated his defender’s mistake, and Joel Embiid’s turnover (also at 112-109), even if Jalen Brunson – who just took an ugly shot – 0/2 should have hit the penalty for the penalty. It was not whistled by the referees.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– “Money Time” with twists. Trailing -2 with 90 seconds left, the Sixers looked to steal from the Knicks, but the Knicks fought back, relying on a 3-pointer by OG Anunoby and another by Landry Shamet. At 110-102, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecom cut the score to 112-109, between a jump ball and a foul (overturned) on the layup, then a second “challenged” (and overturned) foul gave Maxey the tying ball. In check, and eager for the whistle, he was able to make up for it with speed after going 0/2 at the Jalen Brunson line, except Joel Embiid couldn’t get him the ball, instead losing it.

– New York ready to restart the machine. It’s been almost a month (Dec. 25-29) since the Knicks last won two games, but now it’s over. They can obviously thank Jaylen Brunson, excellent in countering the even less sustainable Joel Embiid, but also OG Anunoby and Landry Shamet, valuable that Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns have forgotten. This same “KAT,” suspended for six fouls and suffering comparisons to Mitchell Robinson, the symbol of New York’s rebounding dominance: 26 second-chance points (19 offensive rebounds), equivalent to 16 extra shots.

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How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.