Charlie Cummings previews the upcoming first-round NBA Playoffs series between the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Now that was Game 7 hoops. Physical defense, tough shotmaking, and a whole lot of bad blood. But only one team could come out on top, and the 76ers prevailed on Saturday. Now they’ll face off against another East Coast rival, the New York Knicks. This is going to be a rock fight.
The Knicks are -260 to win the series, while the 76ers are +215 underdogs on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Let’s dig into a preview and prediction for this second-round playoff series.
Things got a bit hairy for the Knicks in the first round against the Hawks. Atlanta stole the home-court advantage by winning Game 2, then put New York on the ropes with a Game 3 win to take a 2-1 series lead. But New York responded the way a contender should, roaring back with three straight wins to take the series. That included a historic 51-point Game 6 blowout, the biggest playoff win in franchise history.
It’s all about the starters here for New York. Atlanta tried everything they could to disrupt Karl-Anthony Towns, but he had an answer for everything. KAT racked up two triple-doubles in the final three games, knowing when to press the scoring buttons and when to set up his teammates. OG Anunoby caught fire all series long while delivering elite defense. And Jalen Brunson worked his usual scoring magic.
But the bench is the real X-factor. How much can they get out of Mitchell Robinson, considering his injury woes? Who amongst the bench guards steps up between Jose Alvarado, Miles McBride, and Jordan Clarkson? We’ll see how head coach Mike Brown settles his rotations early in this series.
Who thought we’d be here? Despite being banged up all season long, the Sixers got healthy just in time for the playoffs, and it made all the difference. A gritty Game 7 win on the road in Boston exorcised a lot of demons, and sets them up with another grudge match.
Tyrese Maxey has to be scoring in bunches, as does Joel Embiid, for the Sixers to work. But can those two avoid being picked on defensively enough to spoil the series? That’s a big question. They’ll sure put some pressure on Brunson and Towns to do some defending of their own. Paul George was fantastic against the Celtics and will have to keep up his excellent play if they want to pull off another upset.
The bench is a huge question mark here, and their depth will be tested sorely. It’s a thin margin for Philly, but it has the tools for an upset.
Now we know these teams a bit better. What is the best way to bet this series?
One thing is for sure: these Sixers have a lot of fight in them. If the stars are healthy and Embiid is playing the elite ball we are accustomed to seeing, they’ll give the Knicks a great fight in this series. They size up well on paper as a team that can match their backcourt scoring. Ultimately, the Knicks’ advantage on the wings and with their depth will decide the series in New York’s favor, but we’ll have a good fight until then.
If we’re gonna go six at least, then the value is on New York to take it home on the road. They’re a much more complete team and have the kind of defenders and half-court scorers you need to thrive in the postseason. It will be more competitive than expected, but this is New York’s series to lose for a reason.
Game 1 of the Knicks vs. 76ers series will take place on Monday, May 4. The start time of the game is not yet decided.
Game 1 will be held at Madison Square Garden in New York, with the Knicks holding home-court advantage in the series.
This is a best-of-seven series between the Knicks and 76ers. The first team to win four games will move on to the Eastern Conference Finals.
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