The 76ers and Knicks are facing off in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series in New York tonight.
The Knicks are bidding to advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the second straight year.
Can Philadelphia pull off another series upset after dumping the Celtics?
The good news is Joel Embiid made the start for the 76ers.
First Quarter Action
“F— Embiid!” chants haven’t stopped all 1Q.
Three different Sixers have tried to guard Jalen Brunson and none have had success.
He has 14 points in the first quarter after knocking down a pullup triple.
Joel Embiid is back at the line again. He’s going down quite easily so far.
He makes both and he’s up to eight points.
The foul grifting on both ends of the floor in this first quarter has been something.
Brunson’s Early Impact
Jalen Brunson gets a floater to go plus the foul. He makes the free throw too.
Jalen Brunson looks very comfortable early, up to seven points already.
After Joel Embiid misses a long two, Brunson finds Deuce McBride and he splashes down a 3 of his own.
Embiid’s Foul Drawing
Joel Embiid continues to draw fouls in the early going, getting to the line again with Mitchell Robinson on him.
Joel Embiid then gets to the line as KAT picks up his second foul. Mitchell Robinson is checking in.
Observations From the First Few Minutes
What a fun first nearly 5 minutes.
Some quick observations: KAT has been handsy in defending Embiid; it’s worked well for a few disruptions but it’s also a good way to draw cheap fouls. The Knicks are pulling Embiid out from the rim while he defends KAT and trying to cut to the rim to get shots but haven’t been able to make the 76ers pay at the rim yet. Sixers probably need Paul George looking for his shot a little less with OG Anunoby on him and clearly causing him problems.
KAT has defended Embiid well. Knicks sent a double a few possessions ago and it led to a Paul George 3.
VJ Edgecombe is up to 5
Towns appeared to have hit his head going for the offensive rebound. He was down pounding the ground. However, he wasn’t examined for a concussion on the bench and is staying in the game.
The 76ers are going to hack-a-Mitch with KAT in foul trouble.
Mitchell Robinson misses both free throws and after Quentin Grimes misses a 3, he’s fouled again.
Play basketball, Nick Nurse. It’s the first quarter.
Wow. Mike Brown is going to Ariel Hukporti with KAT in foul trouble and Mitchell Robinson missing his first four free throws.
I’m in the minority, but I’m all for Hack-a-Player strategies. If you think it gives your team a better chance to win a game (especially a playoff game), do what you gotta do.
I get Embiid is so, so good facing the basket and isoing, but the Sixers aren’t the team that needs Embiid to carry them offensively any more.
Paul George has already hit two 3s, Oubre got a dunk off a baseline cut, Edgecombe has made a jumper.
The ball should be moving more.
Stickiness just makes it easier on New York’s defense.
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