Kristian Winfield: Knicks sweep 76ers in embarrassing takeover of Philly’s home court

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Kristian Winfield: Knicks sweep 76ers in embarrassing takeover of Philly’s home court

Kristian Winfield: Knicks sweep 76ers in embarrassing takeover of Philly’s home court

PHILADELPHIA — This isn’t how home-court advantage is supposed to work. It’s supposed to benefit the team wearing the hometown colors, not the players visiting so-called hostile territory. But New York is only a 90-minute ride from Xfinity Mobile Arena, which — as of Sunday at approximately 3:40 p.m

Kristian Winfield: Knicks sweep 76ers in embarrassing takeover of Philly’s home court

PHILADELPHIA — This isn’t how home-court advantage is supposed to work. It’s supposed to benefit the team wearing the hometown colors, not the players visiting so-called hostile territory. But New York is only a 90-minute ride from Xfinity Mobile Arena, which — as of Sunday at approximately 3:40 p.m. — no longer belongs to Josh Harris and David Blitzer’s Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment. ...

PHILADELPHIA — The New York Knicks didn't just win Game 4. They took over an entire city.

In what was supposed to be a hostile environment, the Knicks turned Xfinity Mobile Arena into their own personal playground Sunday afternoon, completing a stunning 144-114 rout and a 4-0 sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers. The message was clear: This is no longer the Sixers' house.

New York is just a 90-minute drive from Philadelphia, and Knicks fans made the trip in force. By the time the final buzzer sounded, the arena belonged to them — and so did the series.

For the second straight season, the Knicks are heading to the Eastern Conference finals. But unlike last year's hard-fought battle against the Atlanta Hawks, this time there was no drama. No resistance. Just pure domination from tip to buzzer.

The Sixers surrendered 80 points in the first half alone. By the time the first quarter ended, the Knicks had already built a 20-point lead. Philadelphia's starters combined to make just four three-pointers all game. Joel Embiid managed 24 points, but Mikal Bridges locked down Tyrese Maxey, holding him to just 17 points once again. VJ Edgecombe struggled, shooting 4-of-14 for eight points, while Paul George chipped in just seven.

The crowd tried to get into it — briefly erupting when Embiid hit a second-quarter three, only to be silenced when Karl-Anthony Towns answered right back. They booed Maxey at the foul line, but then roared as Miles McBride buried three straight triples during a personal 9-0 run in the first quarter.

The arena cranked up the music and the public-address announcer, desperately trying to drown out the sea of blue and orange. It didn't work. The Knicks fans were louder, prouder, and more numerous. And the Sixers gave their home crowd nothing to cheer about.

This wasn't just a sweep. It was a takeover. The Knicks didn't just win the series — they claimed Philadelphia's home court as their own.

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