Knicks rally late to stun Sixers, take 2-0 NBA playoff series lead

LOS ANGELES: The New York Knicks scored eight points in the final 27.4 seconds to stun the Philadelphia 76ers 104-101 on Monday (Apr 22) and take a 2-0 lead in their NBA Eastern Conference playoff series.

Jalen Brunson's three-pointer pulled the Knicks within two points and after Josh Hart came up with a steal, Donte DiVincenzo capped a chaotic possession with a three-pointer - after missing his first attempt - to put New York up 102-101.

OG Anunoby sealed it at an ecstatic Madison Square Garden with a pair of free throws as the Knicks joined the Cleveland Cavaliers in taking a 2-0 lead in their first-round series.

The Cavs led wire-to-wire in a 96-86 victory over the Orlando Magic.

It was a crushing defeat for the 76ers, who didn't trail until late in the third quarter, when a Brunson layup gave the Knicks a 68-67 lead.

Philadelphia's NBA Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid was clearly hindered late by pain in his surgically repaired left knee, but the Sixers appeared to have regained control when Tyrese Maxey, fed by Embiid, made a three-pointer with 1:09 to play that put the Sixers up 100-96.

Kyle Lowry added a free throw to give the Sixers a five-point lead with less than a minute to play, but the Knicks responded.

The 76ers were furious that officials failed to respond to their calls for a time-out in the critical seconds, Embiid adding a jab over missed foul calls.

"That's unacceptable to put us in that situation," Embiid said. "Everybody on the floor was trying to call time-out ... but they didn't give it to us.

"But forget about the time-out, there's a bunch of fouls ... that's unacceptable."

Embiid was dejected but defiant, telling reporters: "We should be 2-0."

"We're going to win this series," he added. "We're the better