Jalen Brunson puts up 35 points as Knicks beat down 76ers in Game 1

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/new-york-knicks/WCNO4nbt/"]Knicks[/a] talisman [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/brunson-jalen/YLRvL3v7/"]Brunson[/a] led a dominant New York offense that erupted for 74 points in the first half, as they were always in control against a dangerous Sixers side who upset second-seeded [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/boston-celtics/KYD9hVEm/"]Boston[/a] in the first round.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/anunoby-og-ogugua/jiNJMxEa/"]OG Anunoby[/a] provided Brunson's offensive support with 18 points while [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/towns-karl-anthony/8np46E9P/"]Karl-Anthony Towns[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/bridges-mikal/hCRWwI1R/"]Mikal Bridges[/a] added 17 points apiece in front of a star-studded crowd at Madison Square Garden.[/p][embed guid="078c1841-299e-4f02-8389-3430fc6bb120" url="https://x.com/NBA/status/2051499195270349235?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]The win was the perfect start to the best-of-seven series for the Knicks, who are chasing a first appearance in the NBA finals since 1999.[/p][p]Brunson set the tone for a lopsided evening in the first quarter, pouring in 14 points as the Knicks surged into a [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/basketball/new-york-knicks-WCNO4nbt/philadelphia-76ers-vwRW2QSh/?mid=GCyQmumf"]33-25[/a] lead.[/p][p]The 29-year-old point guard kept the points flowing in the second quarter as the Knicks rattled in 41 points to take a 74-51 lead into half-time, Brunson icing the half with a superb three-pointer from 25 feet.[/p][embed guid="dbc457c4-fa9e-4ddf-b510-9a199dcbafe8" url="https://x.com/NBA/status/2051474841367200161?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]New York never looked like surrendering that advantage over the remainder of the game, leading by as many as 40 points in the fourth quarter before cruising home.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/philadelphia-76ers/vwRW2QSh/"]Philadelphia[/a]'s big three of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/maxey-tyrese/r9DvnZeC/"]Tyrese Maxey[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/embiid-joel/G2hZm0nI/"]Joel Embiid[/a], and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/george-paul/KOvfaZVQ/"]Paul George[/a] failed to fire, shooting a combined 12-of-31 in the face of a stifling New York defense.[/p][p]New York will aim to double their series lead in game two in New York on Wednesday.[/p]