Consider it or not, the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks, longtime adversaries, will meet within the postseason for under the fifth time in 61 years and the primary time since 1989. The payoff will possible be well worth the wait, as followers must be in for a bodily throwback collection befitting the rivals.
Because the matchup approaches, the query is, which group is the favourite to advance? Whereas oddsmakers could lean in direction of the 76ers, timing is all the things, and it may doubtlessly give the Knicks the higher hand. Listed here are three explanation why the Japanese Convention’s No. 2 seed must be the choose over Philly and reigning MVP Joel Embiid.
Jalen Brunson may wreak havoc on a restricted Sixers’ protection
Brunson has already had a spectacular season for the Knicks, however he is particularly well-suited to go off towards the Sixers.
Embiid is not in tip-top form, limiting his defensive capabilities, which the purpose guard could possibly exploit. Moreover, guard De’Anthony Melton’s standing is up within the air, giving the 76ers one much less choice to defend Brunson’s bread and butter, the pick-and-roll offense.
Brunson has almost perfected the artwork type and has acquired excessive reward from the likes of Draymond Inexperienced, who known as him “nearly unattainable” to protect again in March. If he can feast on Embiid and firm often, New York can be in a superb place to advance to the second spherical.
Knicks have our bodies to sluggish Embiid
Together with Embiid’s bodily limitations heading into the collection, the Knicks are additionally remarkably well-equipped to cease the 76ers’ star middle. Not solely will they check him defensively with Brunson’s pick-and-roll capability, however New York has loads of massive our bodies to throw the MVP’s manner.
Two seven-footers, Isaiah Hartenstein and Mitchell Robinson, can be there to make all the things tough for Embiid. Whereas they might not have the ability to match his talent set, his resiliency and left knee can be examined over the lengthy haul of a seven-game collection.
Embiid’s well being is essentially the most vital issue
Believing that the Sixers’ possibilities towards the Knicks start and finish with Embiid is not an earth-shattering opinion. Nonetheless, there’s cause to doubt that the star can be wherever close to 100% as soon as the primary spherical kicks off on Saturday at Madison Sq. Backyard.
Wednesday’s one-point victory over the Miami Warmth within the play-in event was solely Embiid’s sixth recreation again since present process a process to restore a meniscus harm in his left knee in February. Whereas he completed with a team-high 23 factors and 15 rebounds within the 105-104 win, he was noticeably gassed all through and was clearly a step off from his MVP type.
If Embiid is proscribed and sure can be, it provides the Knicks a substantial benefit, which could finally result in a collection win.