It was deja vu all over again for the New York Knicks in the most brutal way possible.
Another miracle at Madison Square Garden awaited vocal visitors anticipating the Knicks' second straight commencement into the second round, but this time the rival Philadelphia 76ers were the conjurors in a 112-106 overtime thriller that will extend the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals to at least a sixth game.
The fifth game of the best-of-seven ended in alarmingly familiar fashion: much like the Knicks erased a late deficit in the second game thanks to efforts from deep, Philadelphia did was the same with Tyrese Maxey in tow. The first time All-Star put up 44 points, none more important than the seven he had at the end of regulation.
With the Knicks holding a 96-90 lead in the last half-minute, advancement seemed imminent. But, with Knicks four-point-play legend Larry Johnson in attendance, Maxey duplicated the efforts of "Grandmama" to hit one of his own on a Mitchell Robinson foul. Josh Hart's half-successful trip to the foul line afforded just enough room for Maxey to force an extra session, sinking one from the cusp of the Knicks' midcourt logo with just over eight seconds remaining.
A 9-0 run for Philadelphia in the final five officially forced a sixth game in the series. An unguarded Kelly Oubre, left open by various double teams, git the shot that gave the Sixers a permanent lead, stunning a previously raucous MSG crowd into silence.
Game 6 will shift the series back to Wells Fargo Center on Thursday night at a time to be determined.
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