Observations after Sixers slide to 3-0 series deficit with home loss to Knicks

The Sixers now face an even bleaker picture than they did after falling behind 3-1 in their first-round playoff series with the Celtics.

They suffered a 108-94 loss Friday night to the Knicks at Xfinity Mobile Arena, sliding to a 3-0 deficit in their second-round series. No NBA team has ever won a series after trailing 3-0. 

Knicks star Jalen Brunson tallied 33 points and nine assists. Mikal Bridges added 23 points.

Kelly Oubre Jr. scored a playoff career-high 22 points for the Sixers and grabbed eight rebounds. 

Joel Embiid returned after missing Game 2 with right ankle and right hip injuries. He had 18 points, six assists and five rebounds. Tyrese Maxey posted 17 points on 8-for-12 shooting and seven assists.

OG Anunoby (right hamstring strain) sat out Game 3 for New York. His status is considered day-to-day, Knicks head coach Mike Brown said pregame.

Game 4 will be Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET.  Here are observations on the Sixers’ Game 3 loss:

Cooking with home court early

Miles McBride replaced Anunoby in New York’s starting lineup. The Sixers resumed business as usual with Embiid as their starting center.

Embiid dished out two early assists to George and the Sixers surged to a quick 9-0 lead. 

Though there was a vocal contigent of Knicks fans in the building, the Sixers certainly felt the home crowd behind them for the first time this series. Brown called timeout after two straight Maxey-to-VJ Edgecombe alley-oops. 

George nailed his third triple of the first quarter to put the Sixers up 23-12. He had another excellent, sweet-shooting start, scoring 15 points on 6-for-9 shooting in the first quarter. 

The 36-year-old is up 34 made threes in the playoffs, which is the most of any player. He cooled off badly Friday, scoring zero points after the first quarter, but George has mostly been what the Sixers envisioned as a consistent, efficient two-way wing next to Embiid and Maxey.

All Knicks on boards, off bench in first half

Brunson started 0 for 4 from the floor. Towns was sidelined by foul trouble for much of the first half. 

The Sixers were still unable to extend their lead. Former Sixers guard Landry Shamet made a major impact off of New York’s bench, posting nine first-half points. Shamet leaked out for a dunk early in the second quarter to tie the game at 33-all. The Knicks went on top with a second-chance Jose Alvarado jumper. 

New York built its lead largely through exploiting two Sixers weaknesses that have popped up often this season — poor defensive rebounding and lack of quality depth. The Knicks posted 13 of the night’s 15 second-chance points. They had a 16-0 halftime advantage in bench scoring, too. 

Sixers head coach Nick Nurse played a nine-man rotation. Quentin Grimes remained the team’s sixth man, Andre Drummond and Adem Bona both got brief shifts at backup center, and Dominick Barlow stayed in the rotation. The Sixers continued to rely heavily on their starters and no second-unit player fared particularly well in the first half. 

Oubre’s buzzer-beating three dropped in to cut the Sixers’ deficit to 60-52 at halftime. 

Knicks have no problem sealing the deal  

Embiid was obviously not at optimal health. Both his mobility and his leaping looked to be limited, although he did have explosive moments here and there.  

The Sixers had stretches where they assigned Embiid to Josh Hart and essentially used him as a defensive roamer. On the other end, Embiid was upset about multiple no-calls and only managed eight points in the first half on 3-for-7 shooting. 

Oubre helped the Sixers stay within striking distance and Towns picked up his fourth foul with 6:27 left in the third quarter. Oubre sunk a corner three and Embiid spiked Josh Hart’s shot inside during a third-quarter Sixers run. Embiid’s second-chance layup trimmed New York’s lead to 78-76.

As they had in Game 1, the Sixers intentionally fouled Knicks big man Mitchell Robinson, sending him to the line late in the third quarter. Robinson went 3 for 4 on the foul shots generated by the Sixers’ hacking, although he did later have an 0-for-2 trip.

The Sixers’ offense missed some good looks in the final minutes of the third quarter and the Knicks made them pay. After Grimes air balled a three long and George’s jumper hit the front rim, Shamet drilled a triple with 7.1 seconds left in the third to give the Knicks an 88-79 edge.

Grimes scored the Sixers’ first bench points with a three-ball early in the fourth quarter. He canned another to pull the Sixers within four points and prompt a New York timeout.

The Knicks regained control and the Sixers continued with a George-Barlow frontcourt until Embiid subbed back in with 6:05 left in the game. Brunson scored in transition seconds after Embiid entered and the Sixers’ deficit grew to 99-86.

While the Sixers have had promising patches in the last two games, the bottom line is the Knicks have been the better, deeper team and the series scoreline reflects that. Once more, the Sixers will stare down an elimination game Sunday.