Vaughn Dalzell provides insights into the upcoming NBA first-round matchups. He explains why the Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers, and Oklahoma City Thunder have value and why home-court advantage could favor these teams.
Results for: Philadelphia 76ers
The New York Knicks stole Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night thanks to a dramatic late comeback capped off by back-to-back three-pointers from Jalen Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo. The Sixers held a five-point lead with just 30 seconds remaining, but the Knicks rallied to tie the game and eventually take the lead on DiVincenzo’s second three-pointer. The Sixers had a chance to tie the game at the free throw line, but James Harden missed both attempts. The Knicks went on to win the game 104-101.
Tobias Harris, acquired by the Philadelphia 76ers in February 2019, has shown potential but failed to meet expectations. Despite a near-max contract extension, Harris’ performance has been underwhelming, averaging 17.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists since the extension. With the 76ers facing elimination in the first round of the playoffs, Harris’ playoff performance will be crucial in determining his future value.
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid expressed frustration after Philadelphia’s 104-101 Game 2 loss to the New York Knicks, putting the Knicks ahead 2-0 in the first-round NBA playoff series. Embiid criticized the referees for not calling a foul during the inbounds play, while analyst Charles Barkley criticized Embiid’s lack of leadership. The 76ers filed a complaint with the league over the officiating, but Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal noted that Philadelphia should have called timeout sooner. The series continues in Philadelphia on Thursday, where Embiid will look to lead his team in a must-win game.
Despite earning the second seed in the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks’ title hopes have been dealt a major blow with the season-ending injury to Julius Randle. Key injuries to Randle, Mitchell Robinson, and OG Anunoby have weakened the Knicks’ defensive identity and forced Jalen Brunson to carry an unfair burden. Despite a strong start to their playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, experts argue that the Knicks’ weakened roster could prove too much to overcome, potentially preventing them from advancing past the second round.
Despite their 0-2 deficit against the Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid remains confident in his team’s ability to win the series. Embiid expressed his belief that they should be leading 2-0 and emphasized that they will make necessary adjustments and emerge victorious. He acknowledged the need for improvement but stressed that the Sixers are the superior team and will continue to fight.
Patrick Mahomes, quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, took to social media on Monday, expressing his excitement over the thrilling start of the NBA Playoffs. The playoffs kicked off with a series of intense games, including the New York Knicks’ narrow victory over the Philadelphia 76ers and the Denver Nuggets’ impressive comeback against the Los Angeles Lakers. Mahomes joined the chorus of fans commenting on the thrilling games, particularly the Lakers’ loss. As fans shared highlights and discussed the action on social media, Mahomes’s enthusiasm reflected the widespread excitement surrounding the playoffs.
The Philadelphia 76ers are planning to file a grievance related to the officiating during their series against the New York Knicks. The 76ers lost both games in New York, with the Knicks rallying in the final 30 seconds for a 104-101 victory in Game 2. The Knicks got the go-ahead 3-pointer from Donte DiVincenzo with 13 seconds left, a possession that started when they stole the ball from Tyrese Maxey. Maxey was unable to cleanly catch the inbounds pass while swarmed by Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart and fell to the ground, with Hart then ripping the ball away from him.
Denver Nuggets overcame a 20-point deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 101-99 in Game 2 of their Western Conference first-round series, thanks to Jamal Murray’s clutch step-back jumper at the buzzer. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks rallied back in the final seconds to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 101-99 and take a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference series. Donte DiVincenzo’s crucial 3-pointer with 13.1 seconds remaining proved to be the game-winner for the Knicks. In another Eastern Conference matchup, the Cleveland Cavaliers cruised to a 103-82 victory over the Orlando Magic, powered by Donovan Mitchell’s 23 points and Jarrett Allen’s 20 rebounds.
The Philadelphia 76ers have filed an official grievance with the NBA over the officiating in their first two games of their first-round series against the New York Knicks. The 76ers suffered an epic collapse in a 104-101 Game 2 loss at Madison Square Garden, a loss that left them vehemently angered with the officiating. Philadelphia had a host of issues with the officiating, including what they believed were incorrect foul calls and a failure to grant them a timeout in the waning seconds of the game.