NBA's L2M analyzed the much-contested play and confirmed that Maxey was fouled, and that Nurse called a timeout. Somehow, I am not surprised at all about this; mistakes can be made, and the Knicks know better. Refs could have called a foul against Maxey seconds earlier when he pushed Hart, and SHOULD have given Embiid the technical in the first quarter when he elbowed Hart.
Now, was this the reason why Philly lost the game? Hardly. They had the win in their hands and had so many other options to secure it but failed. In the heat of the moment, refs and players can make mistakes. Did the Knicks deserve to win? As a Knicks fan, I couldn't be happier, and I'll defend them to the last breath. But realistically speaking, both teams fought hard and both deserved to win.
At the same time, I can say without a doubt the Knicks were the better TEAM. And I emphasize "TEAM" because this is what the Knicks are. A team that can rely on any available piece to deliver when the first option has a night off. Even two. On the other hand, the Sixers relied on a sick player and an injured one. Harris was the only other guy to score 10 points. Their bench was trash straight up. Especially in game one.
