What Knicks must fix to close out 76ers after Game 5 meltdown

Well, the New York Knicks definitely played with their food in Game 5 against the Philadelphia 76ers, and it absolutely cost them. Even with extenuating circumstances like Joel Embiid’s migraines, they still lost a game that could have sent them to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. And with the Indiana Pacers losing their Game 5 to the Milwaukee Bucks, the Knicks could have guaranteed themselves some much-needed rest. Instead, they’ll head back to Philadelphia to play Game 6 on Thursday. 

Everything lined up nicely for the Knicks, especially after Kyle Lowry picked up his fifth foul with four minutes remaining in the third quarter. That looked like a major turning point in New York’s favor.

But it wasn’t. Unfortunately, Mitchell Robinson fouled Tyrese Maxey on a made three-pointer that turned a six-point lead into a two-point lead after the made free throw. And then Miles McBride failed to foul Maxey before he sank a buzzer-beating three-pointer that sent the game into overtime.

Oh, and New York squandered a five-point lead in overtime, too.

Too many missed free throws

In any event, the Knicks can’t spend too much time licking their woulds, as they have some things to work on. First, they must be better at the free throw line. The Knicks made 78% of their free throw attempts in the regular season. They made just 66.7% of their free throw attempts in Game 5.

Plus, they missed crucial free throw after crucial free throw down the stretch, including a Josh Hart miss that would have put the Knicks up four before the 76ers’ final possession in regulation. That came not long after OG Anunoby missed a freebie in the final minute.

Poor starts

Next, the Knicks must start halves better. They started the first and third quarters very poorly, with the 76ers opening the first quarter on a 12-4 run and the third quarter on a 10-2 run.

How does New York manifest a better start in Game 6? That’s unclear. It requires a combination of preparation, running more effective plays, and more deliberate execution.

In fairness, the Knicks got good looks in the first quarter — both teams just looked very tight. But in an elimination game, there is no excuse. They must be better.

Donte DiVincenzo needs to step up

Donte DiVincenzo looked a little bit lost in Game 5. He shot 3-of-10 from the field and 1-of-7 on three-pointers in almost 26 minutes of action. Further, he generated only two free throw attempts all night.

Something has to change. Either DiVincenzo has to play better or McBride has to play even more than the 33 minutes he did.

Where was Precious Achiuwa?

A bonehead foul aside, Robinson played heroically. Isaiah Hartenstein did not. In 26 or so minutes, he was a -9 with six points on just two field goal attempts. 

That’s not to say Hartenstein shouldn’t play. It simply means that coach Tom Thibodeau should pull the trigger more quickly on Precious Achiuwa. Remember, Achiuwa posted a +11 in about 20 minutes in Game 4. Granted, Embiid looked spent in Game 4, meaning Achiuwa likely had an easier task than he would have with a fully healthy Embiid. But Embiid appeared even more lost in Game 5 — and Achiuwa remained glued to the bench .

As previously stated, the Knicks must fix these shortcomings. Unfortunately, they just allowed a dangerous team to open the door, and now they must slam it closed on the road in front of an assumedly motivated and engaged Philadelphia fan base that must feel guilty about not showing up in Game 4.

Hopefully, the Knicks bring their A game in Game 6, because no one in this organization wants to see a Game 7.