With players from the old Jeff Van Gundy-era Knicks sitting courtside, it was fitting these Knicks would lean on their defense to build a lead.
DEUCE'S STEAL... DEUCE'S DEUCE
— NBA (@NBA) May 1, 2024
Sixers-Knicks 4Q tightening up in Game 5 on TNT pic.twitter.com/JMpVKcAGWd
Miles "Deuce" McBride picked off a Joel Embiid pass and outraced the Sixers down the court for a layup to push the Knicks’ lead to three points. A few possessions later, OG Anunoby got his own steal and score.
OG!!! pic.twitter.com/lHnlqJDnT4
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) May 1, 2024
Earlier in the third, New York got a huge rejection from Donte DiVincenzo on Tyrese Maxey, from a guard not known for his shot-blocking.
DIVINCENZO RECOVERS FOR THE REJECTION!
— NBA (@NBA) May 1, 2024
Sixers-Knicks | Game 5 on TNT pic.twitter.com/Zmw9Gvc2A9
Overall, the Knicks had 16 fastbreak points to Philadelphia’s four, a sign of their tenacious, ball-hawking defense that generated nine steals. But McBride, who had 14 points in the game, also hit a big shot late to put New York up by six.
DEUCE FOR ANOTHER DEUCE
— NBA (@NBA) May 1, 2024
KNICKS LEAD BY 6 WITH 28.9 REMAINING ON TNT https://t.co/JvSdAXcsBK
It looked like a game-winner, before the Knicks defense deserted them. They fouled Tyrese Maxey and allowed a game-swinging four-point play. Maxey would send the game to overtime, and the 76ers survived, 112-106, to force Game 6.
Live by aggressive defense, die by aggressive defense.
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