Tom Thibodeau recognized the stakes, which were insignificant in the broad scheme of things — it was only one game – yet appeared significant.
“Our players are appreciative for the opportunity to play on Christmas,” the Knicks head coach remarked on Christmas morning. “Everyone is watching you.”
Everyone observed the Knicks begin hot and finish as cold as December’s weather. Following a fourth-quarter collapse in a 119-112 Christmas matinee defeat to the 76ers at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks have dropped three consecutive games.
The Knicks (18-16) were unable to stop the 76ers’ eight-game winning streak. Throughout most of Sunday’s game, the Knicks appeared to be the superior team, but Joel Embiid kept the 76ers afloat and kept many Knicks defenders on the bench due to foul problems.
The Knicks ran out of defenders to bother Embiid, who was limited early on (3 of his first 9) but thrived late in the second quarter when he got Mitchell Robinson in foul trouble. Embiid scored 35 points on 12 of 22 shooting attempts.
Georges Niang’s 3-pointer at 10:37 of the fourth quarter, which followed a James Harden 3-pointer, gave the 76ers a 101-98 lead that they would not relinquish. The 76ers began the fourth quarter with a 13-4 run, as the Knicks missed their open shots and the 76ers converted theirs.
As soon as the 76ers took the lead, they assumed control. In the fourth, they outscored the Knicks 24-16 as the Knicks shot 7-of-23 from the field. The Knicks, who led by 14 in the first quarter, were down by 14 when Embiid tipped in a missed shot at 4:48 of the fourth quarter, prompting Thibodeau to call a timeout.
The Knicks tallied 13 more second-chance points than the 76ers and outrebounded them 46-32. However, Philadelphia had Embiid and a touch from deep, shooting 18-of-39 from three-point range. The Knicks attempted only 12 of 32 three-pointers.
The Knicks squandered an outstanding offensive performance from Julius Randle (35 points), who could score in the paint or from beyond the arc. Brunson contributed 23 points and 11 assists.
Shake Milton grabbed a loose ball between two Knicks in the final seconds of the first half and banked in a one-handed heave from halfcourt to cut the Knicks’ halftime lead to 63-60.
Early on, the Knicks dominated the 76ers and could not be satisfied with a three-point lead. Their defense kept turning into offensive until their fouls began to accumulate.
Randle led the team in the half with 25 points and four of his first eight three-pointers made. Brunson and RJ Barrett could do what they pleased, but the Knicks’ defense ran out of defenders soon.
At 4:04 remaining in the second quarter, with the Knicks leading 50-41, Robinson, who was so involved defensively and eventually too active on Embiid, picked up his third foul. Jericho Sims entered the game and had to be replaced three minutes later with three fouls, unable to defend Joel Embiid without committing a foul.
The 76ers’ 19-13 surge at the end of the second quarter drew them back into the game. The run undermined much of the groundwork that the Knicks had laid during their great start.
The Knicks established early dominance and finished the first quarter with a 12-point lead. They scored 37 points in the first quarter due to their strong defensive efforts in restraining Embiid and Harden, and they were able to convert good defense into effective offense.
Brunson was the focal point of their offense with 10 points and four assists in the first quarter. The point guard slashed into the lane and completed a turnaround; when he was double-teamed, he found Quentin Grimes for a backdoor layup.
This holiday season, the good times did not last.
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