Why Knicks not reaching the NBA Finals would be a disappointment

The New York Knicks entered Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals facing a 76ers team with something to prove. 

New York won 108-102 at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night to take a 2-0 series lead. The game was nothing like Game 1's 39-point blowout. The two teams combined for 25 lead changes and 14 ties, the most lead changes in any playoff game in 11 years.

Former NFL wide receiver and sports analyst T.J. Houshmandzadeh laid out the standard for this team afterward on Speakeasy.

"The Knicks are the best team in the East," Houshmandzadeh said. "If they don't go to the NBA Finals, it would be a huge disappointment. The way they've played so far in these playoffs, the 76ers just beat a very good Boston team."

Philadelphia's 12-point fourth quarter exposed exactly what this Knicks team is doing to opponents

The Sixers led 90-89 heading into the final period, competing hard despite missing Joel Embiid, who was ruled out with ankle and hip injuries. Then the offense collapsed.

"Is 12 points in the 4th quarter, a point a minute, that's all you can come up with?" Houshmandzadeh said. "You have Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, an elite combo out there offensively. 12 points. So that is terrible. But you gotta give the Knicks a ton of credit."

Jalen Brunson delivered the go-ahead basket with 5:06 left. Mikal Bridges extended the lead to six, and Philadelphia never recovered from it.

With a commanding 2-0 lead, the series is shifting quickly toward broader questions

OG Anunoby scored 24 points before exiting late with a leg concern. His availability for Game 3 in Philadelphia on Friday remains unknown.

The 76ers need answers fast. For the Knicks, the real conversation is no longer about this series.

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