The New York Knicks have secured their place in the conference semi-finals thanks to a statement win against Atlanta (89:140). In the process, the team from the Big Apple broke the record for the highest intermission lead in playoff history.
It actually all started quite solidly for the Atlanta Hawks, who were fighting for survival in the playoffs after the away defeat in Game 5. However, the visitors from New York played much more like a team on the brink of elimination.
The Knickerbockers dived for lost balls on numerous occasions, forcing 16 of the home side’s 19 turnovers. After a start at eye level, in which the Hawks even had their noses in front (11:9), the game tipped in New York’s favor.
They outscored Atlanta by an incredible 74 to 25 points up to the half-time break. The outstanding man again was wing player OG Anunoby, who scored 24 of his 29 points in the first and second periods. Towns even increased the lead to +49 points (83:34) with three free throws two minutes before the break. The final 47-point lead went down in history as the highest half-time lead in the playoffs.
Hukporti can be happy about minutes
New York’s wing Mikal Bridges, who had experienced a difficult series up to that point, was also able to redeem himself. The 29-year-old needed just twelve shots to score 24 points (16 of them in the first half). Meanwhile, Karl-Anthony Towns finished the game with a triple-double (12/11/10). Jalen Brunson scored 17 points.
Only Jalen Johnson reached his normal form with 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists for the Hawks, whose performance can be summarized as a collective failure. CJ McCollum, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jonathan Kuminga added eleven each.
The game was already over in the second half, which is why both coaches were able to crank up the rotation machine again. As a result, the German Ariel Hukporti also got his longest spell in the current playoffs with twelve minutes. He scored three points, four rebounds and a block.
While the playoffs are now over for Atlanta, the Knicks will continue against the winner of the series between Boston and Philadelphia.
