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

I released a MAX game on this series before it started. This is the first time I’ve ever done that, and honestly my record for MAX games in the NBA over the past three years is something like 8-1. The one loss was a regular season prospect who didn’t hit. So when I feel like it should be a MAX game, I usually hit. I wouldn’t say I’m nervous about this, but I can’t say I’m comfortable with the Knicks being up 2-0 over the 76ers at the moment, considering I need this to go six games.

The New York Knicks look like one of the top two teams in the NBA Playoffs. They have a deep team that’s actually healthy when it counts, and they haven’t been run into the ground all season by a coach hell-bent on winning games in the regular season. I honestly don’t think Mike Brown has done anything transformative with this team and I would argue that not much is happening with the team other than better depth than last season.

Still, in four wins against the Hawks, they showed that they were clearly the better team. Even in the two losses, they looked like the better team, losing both games by a point, with a chance to win on the last possession in both games. The biggest issue for me is that OG Anunoby will likely miss this game. While it appears to be a much smaller hamstring strain, it makes more sense for the team to rest him for one game and then bring him back. It’s very similar to the strategy the 76ers took with Joel Embiid.

Of the two teams, the Philadelphia 76ers are significantly more used 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 win the game. They weren’t elite at home in the regular season, and they’ve won just one of three playoff games at home in the postseason. However, this is a bit of a do-or-die for them. They must win this match. What adjustments can they make?

76ERS VS KNICKS SECOND ROUND SERIES TRACKED TO GO AT LEAST SIX GAMES IN THE NBA MUST-SEE 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 City on April 30, 2024. (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images)

If Anunoby is out, the 76ers have two advantages from Game 2. Embiid will be back and give them a boost, and the Knicks will be down one of their best defenders, and one who has been a reliable scorer this postseason. Tyrese Maxey hasn’t had a game where he fully took over – Game 2 looked like he would, 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 City on April 30, 2024. (Elsa/Getty Images)

Combine a Knicks team that took a much smaller blow (but one they need to be careful with) 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 a fool to bet on them to win the game when I already have a big bet on them to win two games in the series. However, this is one they need to win to have any hope. If they lose this, a sweep is all too realistic.

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If you already bet the over 5.5 games like I did, you can bet one unit on the Knicks to try and get a little bit of money back. However, it is probably too early to start looking for breeding. I expect the 76ers to be rejuvenated, ready to contend and have the edge in this one. Give me Philadelphia to cover -1.5. I strongly suggest you keep an eye on the damage report before quitting.

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