Thanks to a one-sided last quarter, the 76ers are moving on against the Knicks

Third straight loss for Knicksafter a streak of eight consecutive wins, lost by 76ers at Madison Square Garden, for this first match of the Christmas marathon (119-112).

While the teammates of a super Julius Randle (35 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals) led at the end of the third quarter (96-95), the difference was made in the fourth period, which was largely dominated by the visitors (24-16), in under the impetus of a sudden heat stroke from George Niangauthor of four award-winning shots in this last act alone.

The pair Joel Embiid – James Harden It’s clear that the 76ers’ main strength is on offense, with two All-Stars seriously stepping up their return from the locker room.

It was the eighth straight win for the 76ers, who are now just two wins behind the Cavaliers, third in the Eastern Conference. For the Knicks, it was a bitter defeat as their performance was respectable for most of the game. But in the final action, Tom Thibodeau’s men just blew up against better than them.

WHAT YOU SHOULD REMEMBER

– A decisive “run” by the 76ers in the final quarter. After a strong offensive third quarter, which the 76ers won by a score of 35 to 33, we felt that the momentum began to swing in their favor as the final quarter began. And indeed, with the Knicks leading by just one point after 36 minutes, Doc Rivers’ men hit to start the final act, making it 19-4 to the residents of “MSG”! Deadly for the Knicks, who then lost the momentum on both sides of the field.

– James Harden’s score, hours after the rumor. Earlier today, ESPN announced that James Harden might be considering a return to Houston in the 2023 offseason. Success: 29 points, 13 assists and 4 rebounds. His third quarter was particularly impressive, as was his “money-time”, where he delivered some caviar for Georges Niang to take down the Knicks for good.

TOPS and FLOPS

✅ Joel Embiid. The Cameroonian pivot signed the best individual performance of the meeting, with 35 points (15 in the third quarter) and 8 rebounds. As usual, he wreaked havoc in the paint, scoring 22 of his 35 points there. And when he didn’t score, at the free throw line he increased his total (10/15 in this exercise), the Knicks pivots showing all the trouble in the world to stop him (3 fouls for Mitchell Robinson, 4 for Jericho Sims).

✅ De’Anthony Melton. The author of his best season in the career, Philly’s back, who has been holding out for a few weeks in place of Tyrese Maxey, injured, offered solutions for his two All-Star teammates, through planting five award-winning shots (from seven attempts) . A perfect “role-player” matchup, for one of the most effective recruits of the last offseason in the entire league.

✅ Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson. The only thing missing is the victory this December 25 to be perfect for the strong winger of the Knicks, author of a very high caliber “all-around” match, which reminded of his excellent season 2020/21. New York’s leader rebounded very well, after two average outings against the Raptors and Bulls, with 23 points and 11 assists, for one turnover.

⛔️ The Knicks bench. Except for Immanuel Quickley, who released 11 points from the bench, the Knicks substitutes were not very inspired, the Miles McBride – Isaiah Hartenstein – Jericho Sims trio gathered only 6 small points. While the 76ers can count on 26 points from the bench. The distinction is slightly made here.

THE FOLLOWING

– Knicks (18-16): trip to Dallas, Tuesday evening to Wednesday (2:30 am)

– 76ers (20-12): travel to Washington, Tuesday evening to Wednesday (01:00)