Survive and advance is once again the motto — don’t look now, but the Knicks are just one win away from reaching their second straight Eastern Conference finals.
It’s hard to find fault with the Knicks of late, and entering Sunday’s Game 4 against the 76ers, they are aiming for their first playoff sweep since 1999.
The return of Joel Embiid in Game 3 provided no resistance, as another clutch close-out effort from Jalen Brunson led to a 108-94 win and a pivotal 3-0 series lead.
Oddsmakers predict a close contest, with the Knicks favored by 1.5 points and -120 moneyline favorites.
Perhaps the physicality and toughness of the first-round series against the Hawks helped the Knicks.
Although losing two consecutive close games to C.J. McCollum’s jump shots was frustrating at the time, it seemed to ignite a competitive fire.
Since losing Game 3 to the Hawks, the Knicks have won six straight and have not looked back.
While the high-level offense gets the headlines, it’s been the defensive toughness that’s really done the work.
During this winning streak, the Knicks have a 100.7 defensive rating, per NBA Advanced Stats, and have allowed 100 or more points just once.
They have effectively made Embiid unplayable at times and shut down Tyrese Maxey.
Maxey has struggled significantly in this series, going from 26.9 points per game on 41.8 percent shooting from 3 in Round 1 to 18.7 points per game on 1-for-12 shooting from beyond the arc.
Combine the lack of bench production along with the inconsistency from starters Paul George and VJ Edgecombe, and they are on the ropes.
The 76ers just seem a step slower, as the turnaround from their miraculous opening-round 3-1 comeback against the Celtics has left them gassed.
Sunday will mark their fifth game in nine days.
A play on their team total seems inevitable, and one angle is to take them to go south of 105.5 points scored (-105, BetMGM).
On the Knicks’ side, if OG Anunoby sits out again, it will create more scoring opportunities for Mikal Bridges, who has been crucial on both ends of the floor in this series.
This is personal for the two-way wing, as the Sixers traded him away on draft day, and he’s been making them regret it by averaging 19.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists, shooting 64.9 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from 3.
I’m willing to take the over for his combined points, rebounds and assists of 21.5 (-128, FanDuel).
Bridges has covered this line in four consecutive games, dating back to Game 6 in the Hawks series.
The Plays: 76ers team total points scored under 105.5 (-105, BetMGM) | Bridges over 21.5 points + rebounds + assists (-128, FanDuel)
Mike Turay is a sports journalist and editor who closely follows the NBA, NFL, college sports and UFC. He has demonstrated expertise in both NBA and NFL player prop bets for nearly three years. Mike is also highly knowledgeable about the sportsbook offer landscape, frequently trying and reviewing the latest apps and sites.
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