By: Kylan Watson

After falling to the New York Knicks in game one of their first-round matchup. The Sixers had another chance to get back in the win column and even up this series. As it shifts back to Philly for games three and four on Thursday and Sunday night. Each team traded blows throughout this game. The Sixers dominated the majority of the game. However, when it mattered most the Knicks got multiple offensive rebounds. The ball found its way to Donte DiVincenzo who hit a dagger three to end the Sixers comeback attempt. As they lost a heartbreaker 104-101 and are now down two-games-to nothing in this series.

The Sixers found their offensive rhythm early in this game. Tyrese Maxey scored nine of his 35-points within the first few minutes of the game. The Sixers were threatening to run away with the game early on. He was dealing with an illness today and at times it showed in this game. This is the playoffs and Maxey did all he could to get the Sixers over the finish line in this game. He had the first 30 plus points and 10-assists performance since Allen Iverson for Philly in this game. He significantly outplayed his matchup Jalen Brunson for the second straight game.

Also, they made the necessary adjustments in game two and put bigger bodies on both Josh Hart (21 points) and Jalen Brunson (14 points). That put them both in jail despite the fact that Hart found his shot early in this contest. He did not do anything in the second half of the game. Philly attacked the boards in this game and kept the rebounding margin much closer in this contest. Only losing it by two rebounds instead of 20 plus like in game one. Philly even kept the majority of the Knicks role players in check throughout this game. Once again got another 69-point combined performance from Joel Embiid (34 points) and Maxey. They should have won this game.

However, they lost it in the last few minutes of the fourth quarter. Where the referees after calling this game pretty closely throughout it. Swallowed their whistles and missed two attempts by Sixers Head Coach Nick Nurse to call a timeout and advance the ball for Philly. The refs missed it and New York got two pivotal offensive rebounds. The ball found its way to Donte DiVincenzo who hit a dagger three-pointer to end this game. Once again, the Sixers inability to rebound the ball cost them another game against the Knicks. Combine that with two separate referee crews missing multiple fouls by the Knicks in two games and you have a recipe for disaster for the Sixers.

The Sixers will file a grievance with the league tomorrow morning. The more important thing with two days to prepare is getting a third and fourth scorer to show up. It is inexcusable that they wasted another 69-point performance from their superstar duo. One is dealing with the flu (Maxey) and the other one is still trying to trust his knees after meniscus surgery (Embiid). It is inexcusable to lose a game like that when you have a five-point lead. It is not on Embiid and Maxey; this one is on the other guys. If the Sixers get another player to step up this series is tied at a game apiece.

Now Game three is a must win for them and between Kyle Lowry, Kelly Oubre Jr., Tobias Harris, Nicolas Batum, Paul Reed, and Buddy Hield somebody has to score the ball. Or Nick Nurse needs to insert somebody else who will. Cam Payne seems like a prime candidate who should see some time. The Sixers are fighting for their postseason lives now. So, all options should be on the table.

On the Knicks side of things, they need to get more from Brunson who has struggled against the Sixers defensive scheme. Their role players have given them enough life to stay ahead of Philly.

That is the difference in this series, the performance of the role players for each team. That has determined the outcome of the past two games. It will also determine if this series is ending in four games or going the distance. Philly’s role players should play better now that the series is shifting to Philly. Additionally, they are now playing against history. The Sixers have never won a series where they start down two-games-to nothing in franchise history. Nick Nurse has his work cut out for him if he wants to change that. The game three adjustments have to start by finding a way to unlock his role players at the top of the list.