The New York Knicks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 137-98 to add a historic postseason roll in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Monday night.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 35 points, OG Anunoby added 18, while Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges had 17 points each.
New York became the first team in NBA history to win three straight postseason games by at least 25 points, continuing a wave that began midway through the first round against Atlanta by shooting 63% from the field and leading by 40 points.
Despite trailing 2-1 in the series lead by the Hawks in the first round, the Knicks rallied to win four straight games by a total of 135 points.
The Knicks are the first team since detailed play-by-play began in 1996-97 to lead three straight playoff games by at least 30 points, according to Sportradar.
On the other hand, Paul George led the Sixers with 17 points, Joel Embiid had 14, and Tyrese Maxey added 13, not making his first basket until five minutes into the second.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia had just one full day off after winning in Boston on Saturday night to complete the NBA’s 14th comeback from a 3-1 deficit.
New York scored eight straight points midway through the second to extend a double-digit lead to 57-39.
Brunson scored their final 11 points with a triple to make it 74-51 at halftime.
Towns also sank a triple in the second half that made it 90-60 with about five minutes left in the second half.
Game 2 is Wednesday night, before the series shifts to Philadelphia with Joel Embiid already pleading with 76ers fans not to sell their tickets to Knicks fans when it does.
