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The New York Knicks have taken a commanding 3-0 series lead over the 76ers and will look to put the nail in the coffin in Philadelphia today. No team in NBA history has ever come back from a 3-0 series deficit, and it has looked evident that this short Sixers’ rotation is running out of gas.
Looking at the odds for Game 4, the Knicks enter as narrow 1.5-point favorites and hold -120 odds of winning outright on DraftKings Sportsbook. The 76ers hold +100 odds of winning outright with the game total set at 214.5 points.
You can check out a full preview and prediction for the matchup on DraftKings Network. But for now, let’s dive into the top player prop bets for Game 4.
While this is the most overall talent the Knicks have had on the roster in this era, New York’s outlook still fully revolves around Jalen Brunson. The Villanova product is one of the best postseason risers in the league and has had some of his best moments when the lights are the brightest.
Across the regular season, Brunson averaged 26.0 points per game and scored over 27.5 points in 35 games. Since the playoffs started, his scoring average has improved to 28.0 points per game, and the three-time All-Star has scored over 27.5 points in five of the nine playoff games. This includes scoring 35 and 33 points in two games in this series, averaging 31.3 points per game overall.
Brunson has attempted 61 shots through the first three games and will be in line for this same level of shot volume today, especially with OG Anunoby remaining sidelined. Joel Embiid is listed as probable and is expected to take the floor again today. While Embiid has still largely been an asset on the offensive end, his lateral movement has left plenty to be desired as he battles his laundry list of ailments. The Knicks have made it a clear priority to put Embiid in as many offensive actions as possible, and Brunson has been particularly effective abusing him in drop coverage and getting to his spots on the floor. Expect this to remain a clear part of the game plan and for Brunson to do everything in his power to deliver the knockout punch of the series by cruising to over 27.5 points in the process.
The energy level from this 76ers team will be interesting to note today. While the top-end of the roster can go toe-to-toe with the Knicks, the lack of depth has been evident as the series has progressed. Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, and Paul George each rank in the top five for total minutes played in the postseason. But Edgecombe still has plenty of youth in his legs and a necessary energy level that will be required today. The rookie has been fearless all year, and don’t expect him to go down without a fight.
Across the regular season, Edgecombe averaged 16.0 points per game and scored 15+ points in 38 games. Since the playoffs started, his scoring output has decreased to 14.6 points per game. The Baylor product has only scored 15+ points in three of the postseason games, but has scored 10+ in all but one matchup.
With both Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey looking limited physically, and Paul George feeling the effects of all the minutes he has clocked, someone else must step up on this Sixers team. Edgecombe has answered the call in this role all season and don’t expect today to be any different. Count on Edgecombe to lead the charge tonight and help to set the tone on both sides of the ball, finding ways to get out in transition and showing off his creation in the half-court. 15+ is a manageable line that he has been able to clear at a regular rate all year, and back him to provide the necessary fight to give the Sixers a chance today.
It took until the fourth quarter for the 76ers to register their first bench point in Game 3. Philadelphia has leaned on a short rotation across the postseason and desperately needs to find another source of scoring. Quentin Grimes is the most likely candidate to fill this role, as he is the lone bench player with offensive creation ability. With so much of a workload on Maxey and Edgecombe’s shoulders, Grimes is going to need to step up.
Across the regular season, Grimes averaged 13.4 points per game and scored 10+ points in 53 of his 75 games played. He scored as many as 18 points against the Celtics in the opening series, but has been limited to scoring outputs of five, seven, and six across this series. The Houston product has also seen his shot volume regress with the six field goal attempts in the previous game marking his series high.
Philadelphia is out of options and energy, which will force Grimes into a larger role today. With the writing on the wall for the conclusion of the series, Grimes will also be a player who sees expanded minutes if this game is to go south and the Knicks take full control. He has logged 22+ minutes in each of the past seven games, and back Grimes to make his impact felt in the box score tonight. The standard point prop is set at 6.5 on DraftKings Sportsbook, but I am pushing the margin slightly more and backing the scrappy guard to crack double figures tonight.
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