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The New York Knicks have routed the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 4 of their second-round playoff series, winning 144-114 to complete a four-game sweep.
The Knicks advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the second straight year, a round the 76ers haven’t reached since 2001. New York will face either the Detroit Pistons or the Cleveland Cavaliers next.
This is New York’s first sweep of a best-of-seven series since 1999, which is also the last year in which they reached the NBA Finals.
The Knicks, who were without OG Anunoby (hamstring) for a second straight game, tied an NBA playoff game record with 25 made 3-pointers.
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GO FURTHER
Knicks dismantle 76ers to complete sweep, advance to Eastern Conference finals
Miles “Deuce” McBride is not afraid. That is what his coach, Mike Brown, said before Game 4 of the Knicks’ humiliating sweep of the 76ers. McBride missed a combined 9-of-11 shots in Games 2 and 3, but he was back in a starting lineup in place of the injured OG Anunoby because Brown believes in him.
While the Sixers were (rightfully) focused on more established Knicks scorers, McBride buried them from deep. He needed a mere five minutes to drain his first four 3s and to send a message that the Knicks were just as serious about this closeout opportunity as they were about destroying the Atlanta Hawks in Game 6.
McBride made his first five 3s and finished the first half with 20 points, or 14 more than his career playoff scoring average entering Sunday. He went to the bench near the end of the third quarter with 25 points to his name.
As it turns out, the first-round win over the Boston Celtics was just a facade for the Philadelphia 76ers. Instead, the harsh truth is this: The Celtics AND the Sixers were much more pretenders than contenders.
And, if Boston had been the team to advance instead of Philly, the same likely would have happened. That's how good the New York Knicks have been in this series. In a way, this is good for the 76ers. The band-aid probably needs to be ripped off, which means a major change needs to be considered.
A second-round exit is one thing. But this was an embarrassment. It was not only a sweep, but it was a four-game testimony of just how far the Sixers are from the top of the Eastern Conference. The Knicks gave Philadelphia the blues for four games. They beat them relentlessly on the floor, and then their fans took over Xfinity Mobile Arena for Games 3 and 4, which led to an untenable Mother's Day atmosphere, if you are a fan of Philadelphia.
The Sixers have to ask themselves where they go from here with an expensive and aging roster at the top, and limited assets to offset the age. The next two months will indeed be interesting.
The Knicks essentially broke the record: Through three quarters of their Game 4 demolition, they scored 122 points on 71 possessions — 171.8 per 100. That rate was historic. According to NBA.com's John Schuhmann, it would have shattered the record for a single playoff game.
With a few minutes to go in the third period and the Knicks up nearly 40 points, head coach Mike Brown pulled his starters for good. Garbage time prevented the Knicks from breaking the single-game record, which the Celtics set in 2002, going for 148.1 points per 100 in a win against the 76ers. After a slower final period with the reserves out there, the Knicks fell just short: 146.9.
But had they left their starters in, eschewing sportsmanship and practicality all at once, they likely would have produced the greatest offensive performance in NBA playoff history. Think about it like this: 171.8 points per 100 possessions is the mathematical equivalent of an 86 percent free-throw shooter going to the line for a couple of freebies. The Knicks caught fire. They did not cool down. And they nearly burned down the history books.
Mike Brown gets criticized a lot. I guess that comes with being a head coach in New York. But how about some love for the Knicks’ head coach, who has gotten this team back to the Eastern Conference finals in his first season with the team.
He wasn’t a flashy hire. But it looks like he was the right hire.
Speaking to the press after the 76ers' season ended, Joel Embiid says: "I love Philly. I’ve been here my whole career." He adds that his goal is to be more available next year.
"We have to get better from top to bottom, from ownership on down. We just have to get better."
I'm not sure if this is Kyle Lowry’s last season playing in the NBA. But he has reiterated many, many times that he’ll sign a one-day contract and retire with the Raptors.
I'm very curious what happens and how Toronto celebrates him if that’s the case. He should get a jersey hung in the rafters and a statue, in my opinion.
According to NBA.com's John Schuhmann, the Knicks' 19.4 points per game margin of victory is the largest through two rounds since the playoffs went to 16 teams in 1984.
The Eastern Conference finals will begin on either May 17 or May 19, depending on how long the Pistons-Cavaliers series goes.
That's at least a full week of rest for New York. The debate of rest vs. rust continues…
Miss any of the highlights from today's game? You can catch up here.
With OG Anunoby out for the second straight game, Miles McBride was back in the starting lineup today. And he really took advantage in this one.
McBride hit his first five 3-pointers and finished with six makes from deep (without hitting the rim once on those six). He ended the day with a game-high 25 points.
Here's a look at how the Knicks fared against their potential opponents in the Eastern Conference finals during the regular season. New York fans may feel better if the Cavaliers advance…
Knicks vs. Pistons
Knicks vs. Cavaliers
I am so impressed by the response by Mikal Bridges during this postseason. He was really struggling against the Hawks in the first round, and he was hearing it from Knicks fans. But he bounced back in that series and finished strong.
That momentum continued in this series, and he had 12 points, six assists and four rebounds today, while playing terrific defense.
Karl-Anthony Towns is heading to a conference finals once again, and you saw today why he is such a key part to a winning team. Towns had only seven shots, but he scored 17 points and added 10 assists.
If you’re a Dallas fan, it has to be brutal to watch the New York Knicks in the playoffs. Jalen Brunson, who could have been a star for the Mavericks, has become must-see TV for the Knicks.
He was efficient today with 22 points on 8-of-17 shooting (6-of-10 from 3) in this win. And he didn’t play in the fourth quarter.
Field Goals
3 Pointers
Free Throws
Rebounds
Assists
Here are the leading scorers from today's game:
The New York Knicks will ride a seven-game win streak into their second straight ECF. They've won those seven games by an average of 26.4 points. Dominance.
Rick W. makes a prediction for what's next for the Knicks after today's win.
Reminder that the Knicks were down 2-1 in their series to the Hawks in the first round. And they were on the road in Game 4.
New York hasn’t lost since. And it is going back to the Eastern Conference finals for the second straight year.
