Believe it or not, the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks, longtime adversaries, will meet in the postseason for only the fifth time in 61 years and the first time since 1989. The payoff will likely be worth the wait, as fans should be in for a physical throwback series befitting the rivals.
As the matchup approaches, the question is, which team is the favorite to advance? While oddsmakers may lean towards the 76ers, timing is everything, and it could potentially give the Knicks the upper hand. Here are three reasons why the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 seed should be the pick over Philly and reigning MVP Joel Embiid.
Jalen Brunson could wreak havoc on a limited Sixers’ defense
Brunson has already had a spectacular season for the Knicks, but he’s especially well-suited to go off against the Sixers.
Embiid isn’t in tip-top shape, limiting his defensive capabilities, which the point guard may be able to exploit. Furthermore, guard De’Anthony Melton’s status is up in the air, giving the 76ers one less option to defend Brunson’s bread and butter, the pick-and-roll offense.
Brunson has nearly perfected the art form and has received high praise from the likes of Draymond Green, who called him “almost impossible” to guard back in March. If he can feast on Embiid and company regularly, New York will be in an excellent position to advance to the second round.
Knicks have bodies to slow Embiid
Along with Embiid’s physical limitations heading into the series, the Knicks are also remarkably well-equipped to stop the 76ers’ star center. Not only will they test him defensively with Brunson’s pick-and-roll ability, but New York has plenty of big bodies to throw the MVP’s way.
Two seven-footers, Isaiah Hartenstein and Mitchell Robinson, will be there to make everything difficult for Embiid. While they may not be able to match his skill set, his resiliency and left knee will be tested over the long haul of a seven-game series.
Embiid’s health is the most significant factor
Believing that the Sixers’ chances against the Knicks begin and end with Embiid isn’t an earth-shattering opinion. Still, there’s reason to doubt that the star will be anywhere near 100 percent once the first round kicks off on Saturday at Madison Square Garden.
Wednesday’s one-point victory over the Miami Heat in the play-in tournament was only Embiid’s sixth game back since undergoing a procedure to repair a meniscus injury in his left knee in February. While he finished with a team-high 23 points and 15 rebounds in the 105-104 win, he was noticeably gassed throughout and was clearly a step off from his MVP form.
If Embiid is limited and likely will be, it gives the Knicks a considerable advantage, which might ultimately lead to a series win.