NY. With a heart-stopping comeback in the final seconds, the New York Knicks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 104-101 on Monday and took a 2-0 aggregate lead in the first-round series of the NBA playoffs. In another of Monday’s games, the Cleveland Cavaliers also went 2-0 against the Orlando Magic with a 96-86 victory.
The Knicks and Sixers offered a clash of maximum intensity and equality at New York’s Madison Square Garden that was resolved in favor of the locals with a last half minute of madness.
After several fabulous baskets by young Tyrese Maxey, who scored 35 points, the Sixers dominated by five points (96-101) until, with only 27 seconds on the clock, Jalen Brunson closed the gap with a triple.
The Sixers then fumbled under their rim and allowed Donte DiVincenzo to make a first three-point attempt.
The Knicks guard missed but center Isaiah Hartenstein captured the offensive rebound and allowed him to score the triple at the second opportunity, leading the locals on the scoreboard with 13 seconds left in the midst of ecstasy in the Madison stands.
Hartenstein himself later placed a block on Maxey that sealed the victory for the brave Knicks.
Hours earlier, Cleveland beat the Orlando Magic 96-86 with Donovan Mitchell once again commanding the Cavs’ attack at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Orlando, qualified for the postseason for the first time since 2020, left Cleveland without having taken a lead in either of the first two games.
The next two matchups will take place on the Magic’s home court on Thursday and Saturday.
The day was closed by the Denver Nuggets, winners of the first duel, with a dramatic victory that Jamal Murray defined, with one second left, to leave the Los Angeles Lakers, who let go a 10-point lead in the last period.
#Knicks #Cavs #Denver #NBA #playoff #series
– 2024-04-25 00:02:47
