yahoo
The Philadelphia 76ers ruined the New York Knicks' ring night on Tuesday, and head coach Nick Nurse pointed to a defensive switch involving LeBron James as a key factor in the 106-100 win at Madison Square Garden.
After the game, Nurse was asked about his decision to assign James to Karl-Anthony Towns in the second half. The coach explained that the move was intended to give Philadelphia more options against New York's primary action.
"It's kind of common to put a forward on KAT, 'cause there's so many pick-and-rolls with him and Brunson," Nurse said. "It gives you some versatility to play some other coverages, right?"
Nurse acknowledged that the adjustment didn't work perfectly right away, crediting Josh Hart for making Philadelphia pay early on.
"I think it was good. I mean, Hart obviously stepped in and nailed a couple right in a row to make you pay for the adjustment you make," Nurse said. "But over the long haul, it was very good. Very good, I think."
The numbers support Nurse's assessment. The Knicks led 58-54 at halftime, but the 76ers outscored them 52-42 after the break, including a 29-18 advantage in the third quarter.
James was instrumental in that turnaround. Early in the third, Towns turned the ball over on consecutive possessions, and James converted both into layups, one of them on an alley-oop from Jaylen Brown. James then inbounded the ball to Brown for a buzzer-beating three to close the period with Philadelphia ahead 83-76.
Jalen Brunson, the driving force behind the Knicks' two-man game with Towns, scored 21 points but shot just 6-of-19 from the field. Towns finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds after battling early foul trouble.
James finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in his 76ers debut, while Tyrese Maxey led all scorers with 28 points. Brown added 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
The win also gave James something he had never experienced before: his teams had lost all four of his previous debuts with a new franchise.
With James taking on more of a defensive load against bigger matchups, Nurse now has another tool to use as the season goes on. The 76ers return home to host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night.
Key Analysis
Nurse's strategic shift, placing James on Towns, aimed to disrupt the Knicks' pick-and-roll synergy between Towns and Brunson. While Hart initially capitalized on the adjustment, the 76ers' second-half dominance underscores the move's long-term effectiveness. James's defensive versatility and playmaking proved crucial in securing the win, offering Philadelphia a valuable tactical option moving forward.
Originally reported by yahoo.