“Twenty points in the NBA is nothing. Any team can come back. » Bitter, Joel Embiid regretted following the defeat once morest the Knicks (108-97) a new disappointment for Philadelphia. With 31 points and 14 rebounds, the pivot had once once more put his people on the right track. Faced with confused New Yorkers, his Sixers already had a 21-point lead following 9 minutes of play (33-12).
The time had come for the two coaches to open their bench. And for that of Tom Thibaudeau to return in a few minutes. In the wake of a skilful Evan Fournier from the start, the substitutes woke up Madison Square Garden by going back to the score in a few minutes (40-39, 16th).
These same “second knives” will repeat the performance in the last quarter. On a new three-pointer from Fournier (5 in total for 17 points, season record and +28 plus/minus), the New York substitutes passed a 15-2 to their opponents (91-84, 42nd) . Released for six faults, the French even received a standing ovation, three days before the end of the transfer period, where he is expected to leave the Big Apple. Before leaving the star to Julius Randle, omnipresent with 24 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists and who took care of knocking out Philadelphia definitively at the end of the game.
Substitutes scolded by Doc Rivers
” It was greatrejoiced the strong winger. The big difference with yesterday (Saturday, 128-134 loss once morest Clippers) was our defense. » A measurable difference over several weeks since the Knicks had not conceded less than 100 points since January 2 and a victory once morest Phoenix (102-83). Thanks to this success, the New Yorkers consolidate their 7th place, qualifying for the play-in.
On the Philadelphia side, it’s time for questioning. Already on Monday, the Sixers had lost once morest Orlando despite a 21-point lead (119-109). With that second wide gap wasted in the space of a week, Doc Rivers’ men slip away from the top of the Eastern Conference.
Above all, their bench remains worrying, three days before the shock once morest Boston, leader. “It’s the second time following Orlando that our substitutes have played so badly, regretted the coach. Both times they saw our starters score easily and thought it was easy to score. They do not realize that everything comes from the defense. »
