Tyrese Maxey had an exceptional game and a small miracle to save the Philadelphia 76ers from elimination against the New York Knicks, and Cleveland narrowly won to lead 3-2 against Orlando on Tuesday in the first round of the play-offs NBA.
Maxi Maxey
In a boiling and hostile Madison Square Garden, the young Tyrese Maxey (23 years old) had a huge match, his best in the play-offs with 46 points and 9 assists to allow the 76ers to only be led 3-2 by the Knicks, thanks to a 112-106 success after overtime.
Maxey, named last week as the player with the greatest progress of the year, especially shone during a once again crazy end to the match, the 5th in 5 matches in a grandiose series.
Tyrese Maxey (#0) and Joel Embiid (#21), the star duo of the Philadelphia 76ers, during Game 5 against the Knicks, April 30, 2024 in New York / ELSA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
The Sixers were however trailing by six points with 29 seconds remaining. But two long-range shots from Maxey, the second from the floor logo, far behind the arc, put the 76ers back in the game. A final counter from Frenchman Nicolas Batum on Jalen Brunson allowed the visitors to snatch extra time.
Brunson, leader and darling of the Garden, planted 5 entry points (40 in total, for a crazy average of 34.4 over the series), before the Knicks collapsed by conceding nine consecutive points.
“We were just trying to survive, the season was at stake. I have confidence in my work,” commented Maxey, who roared after snatching extra time.
New York, which announced on Tuesday the withdrawal of Croatian Bojan Bogdanovic for the rest of the play-offs, will have to return to Philadelphia for Game 6 on Thursday.
Once again vilified by Madison Square Garden, Joel Embiid stood out with a triple double (19 pts, 16 rebounds, 10 assists) and a bad move on Brunson which almost cost his team the match in overtime.
Cleveland goes ahead
Donovan Mitchell led the Cleveland Cavaliers to victory against the Orlando Magic, during Game 5 of the play-offs between the two franchises, April 30, 2024 in Cleveland / Jason Miller / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Donovan Mitchell’s Cleveland Cavaliers (28 points) reacted after two defeats to narrowly win at home against the Orlando Magic (104-103), and lead 3-2.
The Cavaliers were however deprived of pivot Jarrett Allen (shot to the ribs) and had to face the fury of Paolo Banchero, author of 39 points and 8 rebounds, he who is playing at the age of 21 in his first play-offs for his second NBA season .
A decisive block from Evan Mobley (14 points, 13 rebounds) on Franz Wagner sealed the outcome of the match six seconds from time.
Milwaukee creates a surprise
Trailing 3-1 and deprived of their two stars Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and Damian Lillard (Achilles tendon), the Milwaukee Bucks created a surprise by crushing the Indiana Pacers (115-92) at home to return to 3-2 .
Bobby Portis (#9), unexpected hero of Game 5 of the NBA play-offs between his Milwaukee Bucks franchise and the Indiana Pacers, April 30, 2024 in Wisconsin / Stacy Revere / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Unexpected hero, Bobby Portis (29 points, 10 rebounds) shone with Khris Middleton (29 points, 12 rebounds) to prevent Doc Rivers’ team from early elimination.
Opposite, the Pacers were unrecognizable and particularly clumsy (36 out of 81 at 44.4% shooting). They will now have the opportunity to close the series on Thursday at home, while remaining under threat of a return to the floor of the Bucks stars.
Results from Tuesday, first round of the play-offs:
EAST CONFERENCE
Milwaukee (No.3) beat Indiana (No.6) 115-92.
Indiana leads 3-2. Game 6 Thursday in Indianapolis
Philadelphia (N.7) beats New York (N.2) 112-106 after overtime
New York leads 3-2. Game 6 Thursday in Philadelphia
Cleveland (N.4) beats Orlando (N.5) 104-103 and leads 3-2
Game 6 Friday in Orlando
