Knicks stars discuss the defense they have played on Tyrese Maxey in the series.
The New York Knicks went up 3-0 on the Philadelphia 76ers in their second round series, winning game three, 108-94.
The Knicks defense has stifled the Sixers all series, holding them below 100 points in two of the three games. The Sixers scored only 102 points in game two, which is their highest output thus far.
Game three was the lowest total for the Sixers in the three games.
The Sixers jumped out to an early lead, going up by as many as 12 in the first quarter. The game shifted in the second quarter when the Knicks took their first lead early in the frame, and never looked back.
The Sixer shot just 42% from the field and 28% from three.
The Knicks Defense On Tyrese Maxey
Shutting down the Sixers largely starts with shutting down Tyrese Maxey.
The Philadelphia All-Star averaged a career high 28.3 points while shooting 46% from the field and 36% from three during the regular season.
In the first round against the Boston Celtics, Maxey averaged 26.9 points on 46% from the field and 41% from three.
He has found little room to operate in the second round against the Knicks. Through the three games, he's averaging 18.7 points on 45% from the field, but just 16% from three.
He's also averaging four turnovers per game, over double the 1.3 he averaged against the Celtics.
Speaking after the game, Mikal Bridges, who has drawn the assignment of guarding Maxey for much of the series, discussed his defense on the Philly star.
"It's a team effort. That's pretty much it. Playing hard and following the scouting (report). We know how much Tyrese means to the team, how important he is, and how good he is. Try to make it difficult for him. I have four other guys helping. When I'm out and other guys are guarding him, they are doing a hell of a job," said Bridges.
Jalen Brunson added, "It's a testament to who he is and how he prepares himself and how he gets ready for the game. Having a next play mentality and a short-term memory. Regardless of what happens, positive or negative, he's locked in for the (next play)."
Bridges on Maxey
In game three, Maxey was held to just two points when guarded by Bridges, who often denied him the ball or forced him to give it up.
Maxey did have his most effecient game of the series in Philadelphia, shooting 8-12 from the field and 1-3 from three while contributing seven assists, but Philadelphia needed a scoring explosion from their crafty guard.
Unlike the first two games, where the number of shots were present, just not falling, Maxey found little room to move against the Knicks defense, who made a concerted effort to ensure he couldn't get his shot off.