PHILADELPHIA. The New York Knicks delivered a masterclass offensive performance to demolish the Philadelphia 76ers 114-144 and complete a 4-0 sweep in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA playoffs. The New York squad dominated from start to finish in a one-sided affair and reached the Eastern Finals for the second consecutive season.
The Knicks completely dismantled Philadelphia from the opening tip with a historic perimeter shooting display. The team coached by Mike Brown tied the NBA playoff record for three-pointers in a single game after converting 25 long-range attempts, constantly punishing a defense unable to respond.
Miles McBride was the night's biggest offensive surprise and led the New York Knicks with 25 points and seven three-pointers made. Jalen Brunson added 22 points and six assists, while Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart contributed 17 points each in another balanced performance from the visiting squad.
The series was essentially decided in the first quarter. New York started the game with an extraordinary offensive pace and made 11 of their first 13 three-point attempts, matching an NBA record with an 84.6% three-point shooting percentage in that opening stretch.
McBride once again took advantage of OG Anunoby's absence to assume offensive responsibility and made his first four three-pointers of the game in the first quarter. Brunson also quickly punished from beyond the arc and Towns began generating constant offense from the high post.
The opening quarter was devastating. The Knicks closed the first period dominating 24-43 and conveyed from very early on the sense that the Philadelphia 76ers would have no real capacity to respond.
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The lead continued to grow during the second quarter. Landry Shamet, who had already been important in Game 3, maintained the three-pointer barrage with another strong offensive stretch off the bench. Towns also joined the outside festival and McBride made his fifth three-pointer of the night to push the lead to 32-59 early in the second period.
Philadelphia tried to momentarily stem the bleeding by capitalizing on several consecutive New York turnovers, but Mike Brown's team quickly regained control. Josh Hart began punishing offensively as well, Brunson added another three-pointer and McBride continued completely unleashed to restore the lead to 27 points before halftime.
The Knicks' offensive numbers at the break perfectly summarized the visiting team's superiority: 54% from the field and an impressive 18 of 29 from three-point range.
The second half barely had a story. Karl-Anthony Towns was again prominent in generating or assisting on New York's first three baskets after the break, though he was again hampered by personal fouls and had to head to the bench early after committing his fourth.
Nothing changed the game's trajectory. Brunson continued to completely control the offensive pace and directly participated in four consecutive baskets that extended the lead to 30 points. The Knicks surpassed the 100-point mark still with more than six minutes remaining in the third quarter following a Josh Hart three-pointer.
Mike Brown completely emptied the bench before even finishing the third period, with a lead that reached 39 points at one point. Ariel Hukporti made the most of his minutes with five points and four rebounds, while Tyler Kolek, Jordan Clarkson and José Alvarado also contributed off the bench.
The Philadelphia 76ers never found defensive answers or competitive energy to avoid the sweep. Joel Embiid and Nick Nurse's team thus close out a disappointing series in which the New York Knicks were clearly superior in virtually every aspect of the game.
Meanwhile, the Knicks continue to grow in these NBA playoffs and return to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second consecutive year. The New York squad is also going through one of the best offensive stretches of the entire postseason and arrives in the next round riding high after completing a dominant sweep over Philadelphia.