The Knicks were raising a championship banner at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. The Sixers tried to prove they belonged on that floor… and they did.
After the Knicks ousted them in the playoffs for the second time in three years, the Sixers needed to deliver an early return on that investment. Philadelphia hired Bob Myers as president of basketball operations, who then acquired Jaylen Brown and signed LeBron James to help dethrone the Knicks.
In their season-opening game, the 76ers made a point, not a statement. But for one night, at least, they looked nothing like the team that folded against New York. The Sixers played with discipline, avoiding careless turnovers, forced shots, and defensive breakdowns. They did not let the Garden crowd rush them. When the Knicks threatened to take control, the visitors stayed composed. They matched the Knicks’ firepower, defended, and showed their fans they can grind out a win.
Perhaps the most important thing Phila showed Tuesday night is that their starting five could function together, and teh face they did made an encouraging first impression. And while beating the Knicks in October shows promise, it’s not the same as beating them in May.
Tyrese held court at The Garden (photo courtesy Philadelphia Inquirer)
Still, what I especially liked was how Joel Embiid and V.J. Edgecombe sacrificed shots to get Tyrese Maxey into a rhythm. Brown let the game come to him, stepping up in the third quarter as Maxey drew double teams. James focused on getting others involved rather than demanding the ball.
Moreover, the Sixers didn’t wilt at any point, even when the Knicks took a 47-39 second-quarter lead. They stayed within reach, trailing 58-54 at halftime. Then, the visitors took charge, closing the third quarter on an 11-0 run. A Maxey layup, an Anfernee Simons 3-pointer, and two Brown 3-pointers put Philadelphia ahead 83-76.
The Sixers then protected the lead in the fourth, with multiple contributors keeping the pedal down. Brown scored eight of his 28 points, Simons and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope hit outside shots, the team made six trips to the foul line, and Embiid did yeoman’s work defending Karl-Anthony Towns.
The Sixers also finished defensive possessions, denying the Knicks second and third chances to score. That was the key to the win.
On this night, the Sixers looked poised and knew what they were doing, while the home team seemed to rush their shots. The Knicks never found an answer late. Jalen Brunson shot 1-for-5 in the final five minutes, including an airball with 10 seconds remaining. The team shot 42 percent from the field and 27 percent from the 3-point range, and committed 15 turnovers.
After two playoff exits against New York in three years, the win was a point worth making. But the final reckoning won’t be had until spring.
