Third in the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia Sixers had lost their last two games, against the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics. But on Friday, in front of their audience and the same Knicks, they won (119-108), stopping the New York team which remained on two successes.
Philadelphia late game attack
It’s all the more infuriating for the Knicks that they led for a good part of the game. New York got off to a good start (20-7, 5th) and was still in the lead at the break, but Philadelphia was able to close the gap (65-59). Upon returning from the locker room, the New Yorkers again pressed the accelerator and escaped one last time (83-71, 30th).
The Philadelphia 76ers then went on the attack, inflicting a 16-3 on their opponent in three minutes, to finally pass in front (87-86, 33rd). The Pennsylvania franchise then dominated the final quarter, going 27-15. Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson, the two sizes of New York, were well taken by the opposing defense and each scored only two points in the last twelve minutes.
Embiid and Maxey made “Philly” win
The visitors, however, remained dangerous, since the score was only 111-108 two minutes and thirty seconds from the buzzer. But the Sixers finally knocked out. their opponent on shots from Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and James Harden and thus found the way to victory.
Author of 35 points and 11 rebounds, Embiid was the most effective in the success of Philadelphia. Maxey, off the bench, also showed off (27 points in 33 minutes) and Harden also signed a double-double (20 points and 12 assists).
Randle and Brunson both 30 points
On the side of the New York Knicks, Randle and Brunson both finished the game with 30 points, but therefore missed their endgame. Evan Fournier, the French back of the New York franchise, did not come into play.
In the Eastern Conference standings, the 76ers remain third, behind Boston and Milwaukee, also victorious on Friday. New York remains, for its part, in seventh place. Philadelphia will play again on Saturday, against Brooklyn, but moving to “Big Apple” this time. The same day, the Knicks will receive Utah.
