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

I released a MAX piece on this series before it started. This is my first time doing this, and honestly my MAX game record in the NBA over the last three years is about 8-1. The only loss was a future regular season that didn’t hit. So when I feel like it should be a MAX play, I usually strike. I won’t say I’m nervous about it, but I can’t say I feel good about the Knicks being up 2-0 over the 76ers right now, considering I need them to play six games.

The New York Knicks look like one of the two best teams in the NBA Playoffs. They have a solid team that’s actually healthy when it counts, and they haven’t been run down all season by a coach hellbent on winning regular season games. Honestly, I don’t think Mike Brown has done anything transformational with this team, and I would say there isn’t much difference in the team other than better depth than last season.

However, in four wins against the Hawks, they have shown that they are clearly the better team. Even in the two losses, they seemed like the better team, losing both games by one point, with a chance to win on the final possession in both games. The biggest problem for me is that OG Anunoby will probably miss this game. While this is apparently a very minor hamstring injury, 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 adopted by the 76ers with Joel Embiid.

Of the two teams, the Philadelphia 76ers are significantly more accustomed to playing without key players than the Knicks. Embiid misses more games than he plays and Paul George has been suspended this season. This opens the door for the 76ers to earn a victory in the game. They weren’t elite at home in the regular season, and they only won one of three home playoff games in the postseason. However, it’s a bit of a do or die question for them. They have to win this game. What adjustments can they make?

76ERS VS KNICKS SECOND ROUND SERIES PLANS AT LEAST SIX GAMES IN A CANNOT-MISS NBA MATCHUP

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

If Anunoby is out, the 76ers will have two advantages over Game 2. Embiid will be back and give them a boost, and the Knicks will lose one of their best defenders and someone who has been a reliable scorer this postseason. Tyrese Maxey didn’t have a game where he fully took over – Game 2 looked like that, but he slowed down in the second half and ultimately the 76ers lost a game they should have won. Expect Maxey and Embiid to both play well today and for the Philly faithful to rock the arena.

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

Combine a Knicks team that took a very minor blow (but one they should be careful about) with the return of a Philadelphia superstar and a homecoming for the team, and you have a great recipe for a win for the 76ers. Maybe I’m stupid to bet on them to win the game when I’ve already bet big on them to win two games in the series. However, this is a victory they must earn to have any hope. If they lose, a sweep is all too realistic.

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If you have already bet over 5.5 games, like me, you can bet one unit on the Knicks to try to get some money back. However, it is probably too early to start looking for hedging. I expect the 76ers to be rejuvenated, ready to fight and have the advantage in this one. Give me Philly to cover the -1.5. I strongly suggest keeping an eye on the injury report before following you.

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