76ers favored in NBA Playoffs Game 3 with Embiid back and Anunoby out

I published a MAX game before this series started. This is my first time doing this and honestly my record playing MAX in the NBA over the last three years is around 8-1. The only loss was the regular season future that didn’t materialize. So I usually hit it when I feel like it needs to be a MAX play. I won’t say I’m nervous about it, but considering I need it to get to six games, I can’t say I feel great about the Knicks currently being up 2-0 against the 76ers.

The New York Knicks look like one of the two best teams in the NBA Playoffs. They have a deep team that is really healthy when it needs to be, and they haven’t been overwhelmed all season by a coach determined to win regular season games. I honestly don’t think Mike Brown has done anything transformative on this team and I don’t think much has changed on the team from last season other than better depth.

However, they have clearly shown that they are the better team in their four wins against the Hawks. Even in the two defeats they looked like the better team, losing both games by one point and having chances on the final possession in both games. The biggest problem for me is that OG Anunoby will miss this game. Even though it seems like he has a very minor hamstring strain, it makes more sense for the team to rest him for one game and then bring him back. This is very similar to the strategy the 76ers followed against Joel Embiid.

Of the two teams, the Philadelphia 76ers are much more accustomed to playing without key players than the Knicks. Embiid misses more games than he plays, and Paul George was suspended this season. This opens the door for the 76ers to get the win in the game. They were not an elite team at home during the regular season and only won one of their three home play-off games at the end of the season. But it’s a bit do or die for them. They need to win this match. What adjustments can they make?

THE 76ERS VS KNICKS SECOND ROUND SERIES IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE AT LEAST SIX GAMES IN THE MUST-WATCH NBA GAME

Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey celebrates during Game 5 of the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on April 30, 2024 in New York City. (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images)

Without Anunoby, the 76ers will have two advantages in Game 2. Embiid will be back and give them a boost, and the Knicks will be down against someone who is one of their best defenders and a reliable scorer this postseason. There was never a match where Tyrese Maxey completely took over; Game 2 looked like that, but it slowed down in the second half and ultimately the 76ers lost a game they should have won. We expect Maxey and Embiid to play well today and Philly fans will rock the arena.

OG Anunoby of the New York Knicks celebrates his field goal in the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden on April 30, 2024 in New York City. (Elsa/Getty Images)

If you combine a Knicks team that took a very small punch (but need to be careful about it) with the return of the Philadelphia superstar and the team’s homecoming, you have a great recipe for a win for the 76ers. Maybe I’m stupid for betting on them to win the game when I had a big bet on them to win two games in the series. However, this is a match they must win in order to have hope. If they lose that, the scan becomes too realistic.

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If you have already bet on over 5.5 games like I did, you can bet one unit on the Knicks to get some money back. However, it’s probably too early to start looking for hedges. I expect the 76ers to be rejuvenated, ready to fight and have the advantage in this game. Give me Philadelphia to cover the -1.5. I highly recommend checking out the injury report before following along.

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