By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Philadelphia Sixers spoiled the New York Knicks’ championship ring and banner night by defeating them 106-100 at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night for the season opener.
The fans waited 53 years to see the Knicks win a championship. It’s a night that will never be forgotten for those who attended to see each player get their championship ring before the game started. In the game, the Knicks looked sharp for the first two quarters.
In the second quarter, the Knicks led by as many as 10 points. When the second half began, the Sixers came out firing. The Sixers’ defense stepped up. The Sixers carried the momentum from the end of the third quarter through most of the fourth. Defense and Tyrese Maxey, who led the team in points, made the difference. Maxey led Philly with 28 points.
The Sixers had six players with double-digit scoring. LeBron James made his Sixers debut and finished with 14 points and 9 rebounds. Joel Embiid posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards. The bench was huge. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 10 points. Anfernee Simons added 13.
The reigning Finals MVP Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 21 points. Karl Anthony Towns had a double-double with 19 points and 12 boards. Andre Drummond was a big surprise, especially in the first half, when he posted monster numbers. The veteran finished the game with 12 points and 14 rebounds.
New York shot poorly from the three-point line, making just 33%. Free-throw shooting wasn’t too great either, making 19 of 27. Free throws are very critical. If New York made all their free throws, then it might have changed the outcome of the game.
Neither team shot the ball well. It was an ugly game. OG Anunoby had a chance to tie the game with a three in the final seconds, but he missed.
New York will travel to Boston to take on the Celtics on Friday night. The Sixers will make their home-season debut on Thursday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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