Knicks blowout an 18 point lead, survive a double over-time thriller

Double overtime action @madisonsquaregarden! #NYKvsPHI

A photo posted by New York Knicks 🏀 (@nyknicks) on Jan 18, 2016 at 12:51pm PST

Whoever said the Sixers are a new team since the signing of Ish Smith was right.

The Knicks came after losing two games on the road and were in a huge need for a win against the last place in Atlantic. And for the first three quarters there wasn’t much doubt on the outcome.

New York was up 76-58 with 1 minute remaining in the third quarter when the inexplicable happened.

The Sixers managed to turn the game around and went on a 18-2 run to cut the lead at 2, and they needed just 5 minutes for that. The Knicks tried to defend the short advantage but Isaiah Canaan‘s free throws tied the game and later on Philadelphia found themselves up by 3 with just 13 seconds to go.

Carmelo Anthony, who finished the game scoring 19 points, grabbing 7 rebounds and dishing 7 assists, drained a three pointer to send the game in overtime as Brett Brown screamed from the bench demanding Nerlens Noel to foul.

The overtime wasn’t less dramatic as New York struggled to keep the pace with the fast game played by Smith and Noel. With 1:20 on the clock, Noel jamed a one handed alley-oop and the Sixers were up again by three.

Lou Amundson however – who is the Knick with the lowest percentage from the free throw line – made both frees and Arron Aflalo‘s jumper plus Lance Thomas‘ couple of frees gave New York the chance of ending the game.

But with 7 seconds remaining, Robert Covington drained a long distance three and sent the game in the second overtime.

Less dramatic, New York went on a 10-4 run and smoothly controlled the rest of the remaining time, and survived a double over time thriller. Final score, Knicks 119 – Sixers 113.

Afflalo led the Knicks with 25 points and added 7 rebounds, Kristaps Porzingis had a new double double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, and so did Robin Lopez who finished with 16 and 10.

Thomas led the bench with 12 points while from the other side, Smith had 16 points and 16 assists!