Knicks Look To Close Out 76ers In Game 5
By Dan Bruno
The New York Knicks play host to the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference First-Round Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday evening.
The Knicks lead the series, 3-1, after kicking off with back-to-back home wins and following up a loss in Game 3 with a win in Philly in Game 4. The Knicks have a chance to build off the momentum of their last win and close out the series at home in Game 5.
Jalen Brunson (knee) has been incredible so far this postseason, averaging 33.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 9.0 assists over four games, including double-doubles in each of the last two outings. He is coming off his best performance of the series and one of his best games of the season, as he totaled 47 points, four rebounds, 10 assists, a block and just one turnover in 44 minutes of action in Game 4. Brunson is listed as probable for action on Tuesday. Josh Hart has also been a critical factor in the Knicks' success, averaging 16.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.3 blocks per outing. Donte DiVincenzo delivered a series-high 19 points in Game 2, and while he has been relatively quiet otherwise, has come up with a couple of clutch shots to close out games.
On the other side, Joel Embiid (knee) is listed as questionable to play but has battled through injury trouble to provide an average of 35.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks across the last four games, including a massive, 50-point effort in the Sixers' Game 3 win. Tyrese Maxey has been impressive in his own rite, averaging 29.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game. Kyle Lowry provides an important veteran presence and is averaging 10.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks per game in the series.
The Knicks lead the series, 3-1, after kicking off with back-to-back home wins and following up a loss in Game 3 with a win in Philly in Game 4. The Knicks have a chance to build off the momentum of their last win and close out the series at home in Game 5.
Jalen Brunson (knee) has been incredible so far this postseason, averaging 33.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 9.0 assists over four games, including double-doubles in each of the last two outings. He is coming off his best performance of the series and one of his best games of the season, as he totaled 47 points, four rebounds, 10 assists, a block and just one turnover in 44 minutes of action in Game 4. Brunson is listed as probable for action on Tuesday. Josh Hart has also been a critical factor in the Knicks' success, averaging 16.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.3 blocks per outing. Donte DiVincenzo delivered a series-high 19 points in Game 2, and while he has been relatively quiet otherwise, has come up with a couple of clutch shots to close out games.
On the other side, Joel Embiid (knee) is listed as questionable to play but has battled through injury trouble to provide an average of 35.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks across the last four games, including a massive, 50-point effort in the Sixers' Game 3 win. Tyrese Maxey has been impressive in his own rite, averaging 29.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game. Kyle Lowry provides an important veteran presence and is averaging 10.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks per game in the series.
Cavaliers, Magic Tangle In Game 5
The Cleveland Cavaliers will host the Orlando Magic at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round on Tuesday.
The Cavaliers looked in complete control of the series following the first two games in Cleveland, and the chances of a sweep following two games in Orlando looked realistic based on the difference between both teams early in the series. However, the Cavaliers left their offense back home, failing to reach the 100-point mark in the subsequent two games and allowing the Magic to recover to tie the series two wins apiece. The Cavaliers will need to find a spark in Game 5 at home because otherwise, they could be in line for a shocking exit in the first round despite flirting with a Top 3 seed during most of the regular season. The Cavaliers will hope some of their key players will bounce back from ugly games in Game 4, but for the most part, they need Donovan Mitchell to be better. Mitchell produced 18 points (5-14 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 7-7 FT), one rebound, six assists and three steals over 36 minutes during Saturday's 112-89 loss, but it’s worth noting he went scoreless in the second half.
The Magic are carrying all the momentum into a pivotal Game 5 on the road. Even though the team looked flat and overmatched in the first two games of the series, they found some much-needed new life after returning home and winning both games relatively easily. Winning on the road might be hard for the Magic, but if they can steal a win at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, they could have an excellent chance of closing things out in front of their fans in Game 6. For that to happen, though, the Magic must be much better on offense. They looked poor in the first two games of the series, and while their shooting numbers were going to come back to normalcy, they need to translate their performance from Game 4 into Game 5. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner will ultimately carry the team on the road, but the Magic showed they have enough weapons to put up a fight in the series, something that didn’t look realistic in the first two contests in Cleveland.
The Cavaliers looked in complete control of the series following the first two games in Cleveland, and the chances of a sweep following two games in Orlando looked realistic based on the difference between both teams early in the series. However, the Cavaliers left their offense back home, failing to reach the 100-point mark in the subsequent two games and allowing the Magic to recover to tie the series two wins apiece. The Cavaliers will need to find a spark in Game 5 at home because otherwise, they could be in line for a shocking exit in the first round despite flirting with a Top 3 seed during most of the regular season. The Cavaliers will hope some of their key players will bounce back from ugly games in Game 4, but for the most part, they need Donovan Mitchell to be better. Mitchell produced 18 points (5-14 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 7-7 FT), one rebound, six assists and three steals over 36 minutes during Saturday's 112-89 loss, but it’s worth noting he went scoreless in the second half.
The Magic are carrying all the momentum into a pivotal Game 5 on the road. Even though the team looked flat and overmatched in the first two games of the series, they found some much-needed new life after returning home and winning both games relatively easily. Winning on the road might be hard for the Magic, but if they can steal a win at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, they could have an excellent chance of closing things out in front of their fans in Game 6. For that to happen, though, the Magic must be much better on offense. They looked poor in the first two games of the series, and while their shooting numbers were going to come back to normalcy, they need to translate their performance from Game 4 into Game 5. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner will ultimately carry the team on the road, but the Magic showed they have enough weapons to put up a fight in the series, something that didn’t look realistic in the first two contests in Cleveland.
Pacers and Bucks Set for Game 5 Battle
The Indiana Pacers take on the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday night in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal-round series. The Pacers lead the series, 3-1.
The Pacers (3-1) stumbled in the first game of the series, but they haven't looked back in the subsequent three games while notching victories of 17, three and 13 points. Their most recent success was a 126-113 victory in Sunday's Game 4. Myles Turner led the Pacers with 29 points, adding nine rebounds, four assists and three blocks. Tyrese Haliburton delivered 24 points, four rebounds, four assists and one steal. Andrew Nembhard totaled 15 points, nine assists and three rebounds. Pascal Siakam and Aaron Nesmith produced matching 13-point contributions, with Siakam adding nine rebounds and seven assists.
The Pacers will list Haliburton (back) as questionable for Tuesday's game.
The Bucks (1-3) are down to their last out and are going to be fighting for their playoff lives with the high likelihood of being without their two best players. In Game 4, Brook Lopez led the Bucks with 27 points, supplementing them with nine rebounds, one assist and one block. Khris Middleton generated a 25-point, 10-rebound double-double that included five assists and one steal. Malik Beasley compiled 20 points, three rebounds and two assists.
The Bucks will list Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and Damian Lillard (Achilles) is doubtful for Tuesday's game. Middleton (ankle) and Beverley (oblique will carry probable tags.
Tuesday's game marks the 10th meeting between the teams since the start of the regular season. The Pacers have won seven of the nine meetings.
The Pacers (3-1) stumbled in the first game of the series, but they haven't looked back in the subsequent three games while notching victories of 17, three and 13 points. Their most recent success was a 126-113 victory in Sunday's Game 4. Myles Turner led the Pacers with 29 points, adding nine rebounds, four assists and three blocks. Tyrese Haliburton delivered 24 points, four rebounds, four assists and one steal. Andrew Nembhard totaled 15 points, nine assists and three rebounds. Pascal Siakam and Aaron Nesmith produced matching 13-point contributions, with Siakam adding nine rebounds and seven assists.
The Pacers will list Haliburton (back) as questionable for Tuesday's game.
The Bucks (1-3) are down to their last out and are going to be fighting for their playoff lives with the high likelihood of being without their two best players. In Game 4, Brook Lopez led the Bucks with 27 points, supplementing them with nine rebounds, one assist and one block. Khris Middleton generated a 25-point, 10-rebound double-double that included five assists and one steal. Malik Beasley compiled 20 points, three rebounds and two assists.
The Bucks will list Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and Damian Lillard (Achilles) is doubtful for Tuesday's game. Middleton (ankle) and Beverley (oblique will carry probable tags.
Tuesday's game marks the 10th meeting between the teams since the start of the regular season. The Pacers have won seven of the nine meetings.