Knicks crush 76ers in playoff semi-final opener to keep up historic postseason

Jalen Brunson scored 27 of his 35 points in the first half as the New York Knicks emphatically added to a historic postseason roll by overwhelming the Philadelphia 76ers 137-98 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

The Knicks became the first team in NBA history to win three straight postseason games by at least 25 points, continuing a wave that began midway through the first round against Atlanta by shooting 63 per cent from the field and leading by 40 points.