Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – The New York Knicks, fueled by a stunning three-point barrage, powered past the Philadelphia 76ers 144-114 on Sunday and into the NBA Eastern Conference finals. The Knicks equalled a playoffs record with 11 first-quarter three-pointers and piled up a record-equalling 18 in the first half, setting an early tone on the way to their seventh straight victory of these playoffs. They finished with a playoff record-equalling 25 treys as they polished off a 4-0 sweep of the 76ers in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semi-finals and reached the conference finals for the second straight year after not going that deep in the playoffs for 24 straight seasons. They will face either the top-seeded Detroit Pistons or fourth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers for a place in the NBA championship series.
“One game at a time,” Knicks star Jalen Brunson said after New York humbled the 76ers on their home floor for a second straight game. Miles McBride made seven three-pointers on the way to a game-high 25 points, and Brunson drained six from beyond the arc in scoring 22. Six players scored in double figures for the Knicks, who didn’t miss forward OG Anunoby as he missed a second straight game with a hamstring strain.
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With a series triumph in sight, the Knicks stormed out of the gate, drilling 11 three-pointers on 13 attempts on the way to 43 points in the first quarter. Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse exhorted his team during one timeout to stay positive and “play harder.” But with their Xfinity Mobile Arena turned into hostile territory by a legion of raucous Knicks fans, the 76ers could find no answer.
By the time they took an 81-57 lead into the break, the Knicks had 18 three-pointers, tying the record for most in a playoff game half. It was virtually over by then, with the Knicks pushing the lead to as many as 44 points and resting their starters in the fourth quarter. Joel Embiid, soldiering through hip and ankle injuries that struck after his April appendectomy, hit all eight of his shots and six of seven free throws to lead the 76ers with 24 points. Tyrese Maxey added 17 but the Sixers, who shocked the second-seeded Boston Celtics in the first round, have now failed to go beyond the second round since 2001.
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