The New York Knicks are as hot as any team in the NBA right now, and their fans know it. In the days leading up to the beginning of this Eastern Conference Semifinal between the Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers, Sixers star Joel Embeed pleaded with Sixers fans to make sure they didn't sell their tickets to Knicks fans.
Those pleas went of deaf ears as the Infinity Mobile Center felt more like Madison Square Garden in Game 3 on Friday, and especially in Game 4 on Sunday as the Knicks swept the series. In fact, the fan domination that many said felt like "80-20" in terms of Knicks rooting interest only grew louder as New York put together another record setting performance in a 144-114 drubbing of the Sixers.
Heck, this game was essentially over when Miles "Deuce" McBride hit his third consecutive three pointer in the opening quarter that gave the Knicks a 17-6 lead with 7:31 to play in the opening stanza. The Knicks crowd exploded chanting "DEUUUUUCE" as each three ball went swiftly through the nets. When Sixers coach Nick Nurse called timeout after McBride's three-pointer to yell at the officials, you knew this was a wrap.
The Knicks would go on to sink 18 three pointers in the first half, tying a NBA Playoff record. New York finished with 25 made three-pointers, also tying a NBA playoff record!
New York led 43-24 after the first quarter and 81-57 at the half. The game, the series was over.
When Jalen Brunson, who finished with 22 points on 8-of-17 shooting, scored five points in a matter of seven seconds to give New York a 99-60 lead when he connected on a lay-up, immediately stole a pass and drained a three-pointer, the lights might as well have gone out.
"Our guys tried to take it to another level with their focus on the details and their energy and effort level,” Head Coach Mike Brown said. “That's a lot of the reason why we're playing pretty good basketball.”
Whatever Brown told his Knicks after Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against Atlanta when the team was down two-games-to-one, it has rubbed off. This team is laser focused.
Not only are the Knicks staying out of foul trouble, they are dominating offensively, and setting up their defense to suffocate teams. New York's 19.4 point margin of victory per game is the largest through two rounds since the NBA went to 16 playoff teams in 1984.
All five starters were in double figures, as McBride led the way with 25 points thanks to knocking down seven three pointers in nine attempts. Karl Anthony Towns and Josh Hart each had 17 points.
The Knicks overall shot 54 percent from the floor in Game 4 and 57 percent from downtown. Right now the Knicks lead all NBA playoff teams in field goal percentage at 51.5 percent, and are second only to Oklahoma City in three-pointers 30.8 percent.
Meanwhile New York leads the League in scoring defense, allowing the fewest points per game on average in the postseason.
The question is can the Knicks keep this going? The Knicks will have a long layoff before the Eastern Conference Finals as they await the winner of the Pistons/Cavs series. Detroit leads that series 2-1, and we all know the Pistons owned the Knicks in the regular season.
The Knicks will use this time to heal up. OG Anunoby missed the past two games, will be needed in the Conference Finals big time. KAT could also use a break. However, will the long layoff disrupt this team's timing? We'll see, but right now Knicks fans do not care, they are enjoying the ride!
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