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After absorbing an early double-digit deficit, the Knicks completely took over in the second quarter. They let the 76ers pull within four near the end of the third quarter and early in the fourth, but quickly re-established double-digit leads both times. <\/p>\n
The second time elicited a loud \u201cLet\u2019s go Knicks\u201d chant from the plethora of their fans taking over Xfinity Mobile Arena. The 76ers\u2019 PA announcer didn\u2019t even try to hide it \u2014 he responded with a \u201cC\u2019mon, 76ers fans\u201d plea to drown them out.<\/p>\n
But it was a useless effort. The Knicks soon after rattled off a 13-3 run to take a 16-point lead. Jalen Brunson put the 76ers away. There was nothing left for 76ers fans to yell about. Xfinity Mobile Arena became a Knicks party. <\/p>\n
And they brought themselves within touching distance of reaching the conference finals for the second straight year with a 108-94 victory in Game 3 to take a commanding 3-0 series lead.<\/p>\n
New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson. Picture: AP Photo\/Matt SlocumSource: AP<\/p>\n
\u201cThey jumped out and they kind of punched us in the mouth to start the game,\u201d coach Mike Brown said. \u201cOur guys settled down and they figured it out the next three quarters after that first one went by. Great response by our group.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re resilient, they\u2019ve been through a lot as a veteran group and it showed tonight.\u201d <\/p>\n
The Knicks have won six consecutive post-season games, their most since 1999. <\/p>\n
They did it without OG Anunoby, who was out with a right hamstring strain. And they did it with minimal contribution from Karl-Anthony Towns, who again was glued to the bench for large stretches of the game due to foul trouble.<\/p>\n
Brunson, after starting 0-for-4 and 2-for-8 from the field, largely carried the offence and finished with a game-high 33 points \u2014 on 11-for-22 shooting from the field \u2014 along with nine assists. Nine of those points came in the fourth quarter. <\/p>\n
Mikal Bridges, without Anunoby, stepped up and delivered 23 points \u2014 10 of which came in an impressive second quarter. His defence on Tyrese Maxey was terrific, and he also spent significant time on Paul George. <\/p>\n
Josh Hart had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.<\/p>\n
Miles McBride started for Anunoby, but it was Landry Shamet \u2014 re-entering the rotation \u2014 who provided huge minutes in his place. He recorded 15 points on 5-for-6 shooting and closed in the fourth quarter. It was part of a huge bench advantage for the Knicks, who held an 18-point edge in bench points. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was definitely a team effort,\u201d Brunson said. \u201cObviously, we want everyone back healthy. But it was important for everyone to step up and have the right mindset. To do whatever you gotta do to win.\u201d<\/p>\n
Head coach Nick Nurse of the Philadelphia 76ers. Picture: Emilee Chinn\/Getty Images\/AFPSource: AFP<\/p>\n
Towns played just 26 minutes and finished with eight points and 12 rebounds.<\/p>\n
The Knicks trailed by as many as 12 points in the first quarter. George was torching them and had 15 points (6-for-9 shooting) in that first quarter. The Knicks committed six turnovers as the game threatened to get away from them. But they weathered the storm and only trailed by four heading into the second quarter. <\/p>\n
Within four minutes of the second quarter, they took the lead. And they went on to dominate the second quarter, outscoring the 76ers by 12 points. It came with a key defensive tweak, at times switching Bridges onto George as opposed to Hart.<\/p>\n
George went scoreless the rest of the game, missing all nine shots he took.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had to mix up coverages on him,\u201d Brown said. \u201c \u2026 Obviously with OG out, we were down a big wing. Mikal had to take that part over.\u201d <\/p>\n
Mitchell Robinson caught a lob from Brunson off an inbounds and dunked all over Joel Embiid to give the Knicks a five-point lead with 7:09 left in the second quarter. It was around then they took control and never looked back. <\/p>\n
After they took the lead with 8:20 left in the second quarter, they led the rest of the way.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s just what our identity is,\u201d Hart said. \u201cWe continue to give something game after game and that\u2019s energy. That\u2019s what we strive to have, that energy, that physicality, that attention to detail and focus. We try to have that every game. We need to do that game after game after game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Much of the third quarter was defined by Robinson\u2019s free-throw shooting. The 76ers went Hack-a-Mitch, and he was also fouled twice going up for a lob and lay-up. He went 4-for-8 from the line in the quarter.<\/p>\n
NBA Wrap: Spurs bounce back v T-Wolves | 02:34<\/p>\n
Embiid had 18 points for the 76ers, while Maxey added 17. But the Knicks made them footnotes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe withstood the first punch,\u201d Towns said. \u201cThat\u2019s a great team.\u201d <\/p>\n
The Knicks have made them look extremely ordinary.<\/p>\n