The Knicks secured a 108-102 victory over the 76ers in Game 2, taking a 2-0 series lead. Key performances from Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and OG Anunoby were crucial, despite challenges faced by both teams.
Key points
Knicks won Game 2 against 76ers 108-102
Series lead is 2-0 for the Knicks
Key players included Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns
Playing without star center Joel Embiid, the 76ers gave the Knicks a battle.
New York withstood the absence of big man Mitchell Robinson, a weak three-point shooting night and foul trouble for Karl-Anthony Towns to pick up the win. A combined 70 points from Towns, Jalen Brunson, and OG Anunoby was a deciding factor in the victory, which gives the Knicks a 2-0 series lead.
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New York won the paint scoring battle by a massive 56-30 margin, which helped make up for a cold shooting night. The Knicks shot 7-for-26 (26.9 percent) as a team from the three-point line. On nights when the three-ball isn't falling, dominating the paint can make up for it.
It was remarkable this happened even with Robinson out due to illness, and the Knicks only having nine offensive rebounds against the 76ers.
One main reason for finding easy scores around the basket is Towns. Having him operate as a playmaker out on the perimeter has opened up the paint for cutters. Towns had seven assists in Game 2, and has recorded at least six assists in each of the last five games.
If the Knicks can keep a healthy edge in interior scoring, it gives them a chance to win every game.
Pivotal injuries
While the Xs and Os are important, it’s the Jims and Joes on the floor who matter. Injuries will loom large in deciding how this series goes for both teams. Late in the fourth quarter of Game 2, OG Anunoby came up hobbling, and he was not available for the last two minutes and 30 seconds due to what seemed like a leg injury.
Postgame, Knicks head coach Mike Browndid not have an update on Anunoby’s status. It’s a gloomy ending to what was another marvelous night from Anunoby, who recorded 24 points, five rebounds and four steals.
Anunoby has been New York’s most consistent player during these eight playoff games and has made a great impact on both ends of the floor. He’s averaging 21.4 points and 7.5 rebounds during the postseason. It’s safe to say if he misses any time, that will have a significant effect on New York’s hopes to make a deep playoff run.
As mentioned before, Robinson missed the game with an illness. With Towns and Ariel Hukporti both picking up several fouls, the Knicks missed their rebounding center.
For Philadelphia, Embiid’s injury seems to be day-to-day, as he was ruled out earlier in the day before Game 2 with both hip and ankle injuries. Though he had trouble defending in Game 1, Embiid’s offense is valuable. The 76ers missed the big man’s ability to score and create offense in the half-court, especially during the fourth quarter, when they scored just 12 points on 4-for-19 from the floor.
Back in rhythm
If Anunoby is unavailable for the next game, the Knicks will need a group effort to replace his production. One player who could fill some of the void is Mikal Bridges. He’s averaged 19.7 points on 74 percent from the field over the last three games, including an effective 19 points and five rebounds in Game 2.
Bridges has also had the unenviable task of checking 76ers point guard Tyrese Maxey. He and the Knicks as a team did a solid job on Maxey in Game 2, holding him to just 9-for-23 shooting.
Bridges had been maligned for uneven play throughout his two seasons with the Knicks, and his disappointing first few games of this year’s postseason run, but it seems like he has pulled himself of the rut he was in.
Now, the Knicks will likely need Bridges to contribute even more on both ends.
