Knicks take commanding 3-0 series lead after 108-94 win over 76ers

The Knicks  took the 76ers' best shot early and turned a tight game into another comfortable victory in their 108-94 win over the Sixers in Game 3 on Friday night. Here are the takeaways... -The Sixers got off to a fast start, as Karl-Anthony Towns tipped the opening tip toward his own basket, where Kelly Oubre was waiting and he made an easy layup and turned it into a 9-0 run.

The Knicks had a hard time getting decent looks on offense, and their defensive intensity was lacking, but New York would fight back, causing turnovers and turning them into baskets. However, back-to-back alley-oops from Tyrese Maxey to VJ Edgecombe forced coach Mike Brown to call his first timeout with Philly up 15-8. The Sixers were noticeably more intense on both ends of the floor, and that helped them end the first with a 31-27 lead.

It could have gotten away from the Knicks, but four offensive rebounds helped them cut into the deficit. Both teams shot around 50 percent, but the story of the first frame was the refs. Both teams were not happy with the foul and no-calls.

The Knicks were called for six fouls in the first (Towns picking up two) while the Sixers had four. Joel Embiid , who missed Game 2, was back for this one and while he only scored four points, his presence was felt on the glass and spacing the floor. Paul George was on fire in the opening frame, scoring 15 points on 6 of 8 shooting (3-for-4 from three).