Joel Embiid scored 50 points, making all four three-point attempts and scoring 18 in a potential series-shifting third quarter to lead Philadelphia to a 125-114 win over New York in Game 3 of their NBA Eastern Conference first-round series.
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After the 76ers dropped Game 2, Embiid boldly stated "we're going to win this series".
With one of the finest finals efforts of his career on Thursday night (Friday AEST), Embiid became the third player to ever score 50 points against the Knicks in the post-season and kept the hope of a Philadelphia series comeback very much alive.
The Knicks lead the series 2-1, with Game 4 on Sunday in Philadelphia.
Embiid was 13-of-19 from the floor overall, made 19 of 21 free throws and hit five three-pointers.
Tyrese Maxey added 25 points, Kelly Oubre Jr scored 15 and Cameron Payne had 11 for the Sixers, who dropped two close games in New York to start the best-of-seven series.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 39 points and 13 assists. Josh Hart added 20 points and OG Anunoby had 17.
In Orlando, Paolo Banchero had 31 points and 14 rebounds and Jalen Suggs added 24 points as the Magic handed Cleveland the worst playoff loss in franchise history, winning 121-83 to cut the Cavaliers' lead to 2-1 in their Eastern Conference first-round series.
Franz Wagner finished with 16 points and eight assists for the Magic, who led by 43 points in the fourth quarter on the way to the third-largest margin of victory in a playoff game.
They earned their first playoff victory since 2019 and the first on their home floor since April 26, 2011.
Orlando can even the series with a victory at home on Sunday.
Jarrett Allen had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Cavaliers, who shot 39 per cent from the field and 23.5 per cent from three-point range.
Caris LeVert added 15 points and Donovan Mitchell had 13 points and seven assists.
In Los Angeles, Aaron Gordon had 29 points and 15 rebounds and Nikola Jokic added 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists as Denver moved to the brink of the second round with a 112-105 victory over the Lakers in Game 3 of their first-round series.
Jamal Murray scored 22 points as the defending NBA champions Nuggets won their 11th consecutive meeting with LeBron James and the Lakers in dominating style.
Michael Porter Jr added 20 points for Denver, who took control in the third quarter and cruised through the final minutes to their fifth straight road win over Los Angeles, starting with their sweep of last season's Western Conference finals.
Game 4 is on Saturday night in Los Angeles. No NBA team has ever rallied from a 0-3 playoff deficit.
- with Reuters
Australian Associated Press
