By: Kylan Watson

The Philadelphia 76ers had their backs against the wall as they faced the New York Knicks in game five of their first-round matchup. Both teams traded blows throughout this contest and the Sixers were able to outlast the Knicks. Thanks to a 17-point fourth quarter explosion from Tyrese Maxey who pulled the Sixers over the finish line. Breaking the Knicks and their fans heart beating them 112-106. The series now shifts back to Philly as New York has a one game advantage over the Sixers.

Both teams struggled to find their rhythm early in this contest. However, when it mattered Philly found theirs. It took them awhile, but they started to cash in on their high-percentage shooting opportunities. Tyrese Maxey picked up for Joel Embiid (19 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, and had 10 assists) who struggled to find his rhythm throughout this contest. Maxey scored 46 points, had nine assists, and grabbed five rebounds; Maxey was the best player in this game. Whenever the Knicks went on a run he had the answer. His play today kept the team in it just enough for Embiid to take over defensively and pull them over the finish line. With this performance tonight he made a case to be the best running mate Embiid has ever had.

Despite the offensive explosion from Maxey, the Knicks were able to overcome the leads Philly would take. Jalen Brunson always had a response throughout this game. He scored 40 points in this game. Brunson found a way to find the bottom of the net. He clearly found something last game against the Sixers. He started playing more aggressively and getting his defenders in foul trouble. However, the Sixers were able to stifle the Knicks role players and New York was never able to fully takeover this game. Philly did an excellent job winning the rebounding battle and forcing the Knicks to turn the ball over in the fourth quarter. Not allowing them to get offensive rebounds late in the fourth quarter. Along with the Sixers finally getting the 50/50 balls. That gave them multiple opportunities to take this game from the Knicks. Maxey cashed in on those multiple opportunities, he converted a four-point play (Off a dumb Mitchell Robinson foul) and hit the game tying deep three-pointer to send the game into overtime.

On Maxey’s season saving performance tonight, “Tonight, that fourth quarter, that last minute – what he was able to do was spectacular tonight. He really carried us. It was a big time game from a big time player,” said Sixers forward Tobias Harris.

Philly started the overtime sluggish, and Brunson hit two buckets to give the Knicks a four-point lead in this contest. Then Maxey found his rhythm and Embiid took the game over defensively. He made two pivotal blocks on Brunson, one in the fourth quarter and one in overtime to keep the Sixers ahead. Even though he was responsible for nine of Philly’s turnovers tonight. He came up big when it mattered and sent the game into overtime. His play on top of Tobias Harris (19 points) hitting two big buckets late in the game, allowed Philly to pull this out. Now the series shifts back to Philly on Thursday night and the Sixers have a new life now.

If they want to win a pivotal game six on Thursday night. The Sixers have to start the game aggressively and hit their high-percentage shooting opportunities. Those shots finally started falling in the fourth quarter and overtime. Additionally, they have to limit the Knicks to one possession and play tight perimeter defense. Making the Knicks a half-court team and making them shoot contested shots worked out for the Sixers in this game. They need more of that in game six to beat the Knicks on Thursday night.