3 biggest takeaways for Sixers following Game 1 loss to Knicks
Here are the three biggest takeaways for the Philadelphia 76ers following their Game 1 loss to the New York Knicks on the road.
NEW YORK -- Following an emotional Game 7 win over the Boston Celtics on the road on Saturday, the Philadelphia 76ers looked a bit tired and out of sync as they began Round 2 with the New York Knicks on Monday. The Sixers trailed by as many as 40 as they fell to the Knicks 137-98 in Game 1 of this series. The Sixers received 17 points from Paul George, 14 points and four rebounds from Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey had 13 points and three rebounds.
Kelly Oubre Jr. chipped in with 12 points and five rebounds and VJ Edgecombe added 12 points. Here are the three biggest takeaways following the loss to the Knicks: Defensive struggles It was too easy for the Knicks in this one.
They lived in the paint, finished at the basket, and kicked it out to open shooters. When the Sixers did close out, the Knicks put the ball on the floor and dribbled into mid-range shots in order to find an offensive rhythm. Jalen Brunson, especially, was able to get into a groove as he took advantage of any crease he was able to find in Philadelphia’s defensive scheme.
It didn’t matter who the Sixers threw onto Brunson, he was able to get things moving for New York. Coach Nick Nruse stated: Well, I thought we got off to a decent start defensively, and then we we had, I think, five or six mid pick-and-rolls in a row that they they scored on in pretty much every way they could. Came off, hit a 3, we didn't get through the screen, they got a lob, a couple floaters down the lane.