Game 2 of the series
The Philadelphia 76ers, who are seventh in the East, failed to create a miracle after all, losing to the Knicks in the first game of the series, and Embiid almost suffered an injury. Judging from Embiid's current knee status, it is unknown whether he will be able to play the first round of the series healthy, and now there is even news that Maxey is sick. But fortunately, in the second game of the series, Embiid and Maxey still played together, which ensured the team's competitiveness. But it wasn't easy to walk away from Madison Garden.
The Knicks showed their strength in the first game, although the star Brunson was targeted and his efficiency on the court was not good, but there are always people on the team who can step up, Hart and McBride, Bogda and Miro, all played the role of surprise soldiers in the first game, so who will step up in this game?
Hart becomes a surprise soldier
At the beginning of the first quarter, the Knicks were still in poor shape, Brunson only had 5 points and 2 rebounds on 2-of-8 shooting, but Hart had 7 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist, and DiVincenzo also hit 2 three-pointers, and the team only scored 18 points in a single quarter. The 76ers seized the opportunity, Embiid scored 12 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists, Maxey also had 9 points, 1 rebound and 2 assists on 3-of-4 three-point shooting, and the team scored 25 points in a single quarter and successfully took a 7-point lead. After returning from the game in the second quarter, Maxey ushered in an explosion, scoring 11 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists on 4-of-6 shooting, and Harris had 8 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists, and the team scored another 28 points in a single quarter.
The Knicks found their form, Hart became more and more courageous, with 12 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist on 4-of-7 shooting, Brunson 8 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist, the team scored 31 points in a single quarter, and at halftime, the 76ers led the Knicks by four points at 53-49. In the second half, Harden became a wonder soldier, scoring 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocks on 5-of-5 shooting, Brunson also had 6 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists, DiVincenzo scored 7 points, and the team scored 30 points in a single quarter, while the 76ers only scored 21 points, of which Embiid scored 13 points, Maxey did not score a point on 0-of-4 shooting, and the Knicks successfully overtook 5 points.
In the final quarter of the game, the Knicks maintained a slight lead, Embiid was the key 2+1, Maxey broke through to the layup, and the 76ers successfully tied the score. Harden made a free throw, Lowry hit one of two free throws, Maxey hit a pull-out, and then a crucial three-pointer gave his team a four-point lead. Lowry hit one of two free throws, Brunson hit a three-pointer, DiVincenzo also had a three-pointer, and the Knicks took a one-point lead with just 13 seconds left. Maxey broke through for a layup, Harden staged a pegboard hat, the 76ers could only foul, Anunoby made two free throws, Embiid missed a three-point shot, and the Knicks successfully reversed the Philadelphia 76ers 104-101.
Embiid was killed again
In the magical script, Embiid was killed again, and the 76ers' victory was gone, and the series fell behind 0-2. Maxey continued to show his super-running strength, shooting 12-of-22 from the field, 5-of-11 from three-point range, and a quasi-triple-double of 35 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists, including 15 points in the final quarter. Embiid also had 34 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists on 12-of-29 shooting, and the duo kept the team up, but in the end, the team lacked a bit of luck. Harris had 10 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists, and only three players on the team scored in double figures.
Brunson's personal performance was still bad, with 24 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists on 8-of-29 shooting, but the key three points in the final moment still showed a big heart. Hart made 7 of 16 shots, with 21 points, 15 rebounds and 3 assists, becoming the wonder man of the game. DiVincenzo also had 19 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, and a last-minute three-pointer made the 76ers' efforts come to naught. Hartenstein, a player who once competed with Zhou Qi for a rotation position in the Rockets, had 14 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists on 7-of-8 shooting, all of which came in the second half, and Anunoby also had 10 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist.