NBA Playoffs Second Round Game 2 Preview: New York Knicks Versus Philadelphia 76ers
After a third straight blowout win, the New York Knicks pounced on the Philadelphia 76ers in dominant fashion to take a 1-0 series lead in the second round of the NBA playoffs on Monday night. Let’s examine some ways the Knicks can take home their 4th straight playoff win, and how the Sixers can avoid falling into a 2-0 series hole on Wednesday night in New York City.
Sixers Defense Needs to Contain Jalen Brunson
Although the Knicks have become less centered around the play of their superstar, Jalen Brunson, this past season, the entire offense still primarily goes as he does from game to game. That was evident from the jump in New York’s victory, which saw Brunson have one of the most efficient outings of his playoff career, as he scored 35 points in just three quarters of playing time.
While the Knicks offense as a whole was magnificent, as they shot just 63% from the floor and 51% from three-point range in the win, the lackluster and sloppy defense on display from the Sixers was equally responsible for that offensive output by New York. If the Sixers want to prevent another offensive avalanche by the Knicks, it is paramount that they force Brunson to be more of a playmaker than a scorer.
The Sixers possess the capabilities on defense to slow down Brunson’s scoring output, as they have quick ball-hawking guards in VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey, combined with long athletic wings in Kelly Oubre Jr. and Paul George. The key to a better defensive performance will be in executing double teams on Brunson, which will come down to having both a better level of defensive communication and effort.
Throwing double teams on players is a hard strategy to implement in basketball, but if the Sixers can be effective in their utilization of the double team method, as well as their defensive rotation to take away open looks that will inevitably pop up, they might have a puncher’s chance at stealing game two in the Garden.
Maxey Must Return to Form Following Embiid’s Absence
The road to a game two victory was made harder as Sixers star center, Joel Embiid, will reportedly miss tonight’s game due to multiple injuries. Embiid’s absence will undoubtedly muzzle much of the Sixers’ offensive firepower, which means that playoff Tyrese Maxey needs to show up in a big way for Philadelphia tonight.
Maxey had one of the worst outings of his playoff career in the Sixers’ game one loss, as he finished with just 13 points on 3 for 9 shooting from the floor. Playoff duds have been rare for Maxey throughout his career, especially this postseason, where the Sixers All-Star is averaging 25 points on a scorching 46% shooting from the field, 40% from three-point range, and 97% from the free-throw line.
While his game one performance could conceivably be chalked up to fatigue due to just wrapping up a grueling 7-game series against the Boston Celtics just two days prior, Maxey will need that battery to be fully recharged for tonight’s game if the Sixers are to tie up the series.
OG Anunoby Offensive Brilliance Must Continue
When talking about the Knicks offense, plenty has been said about the offensive abilities of both Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, but the effective scoring display put on by OG Anunoby of late has served as the x-factor on that side of the floor for New York. Anunoby’s improved performance is also backed up by his overall stats this postseason, where he’s averaging a career-high 21 points per game on 64% shooting from the field and 59% shooting from three-point range.
Anunoby continued to be a flamethrower on offense in New York’s game one victory, where he scored 18 points while only missing one shot in the entire game. While the Sixers will undoubtedly be looking to make life harder for Brunson in tonight’s game, the Knicks will need Anunoby to continue his offensive brilliance, which could very well lead to another easy win for the Knicks if that happens.
Prediction: Knicks Take 2-0 Series Lead and Defend Home Court
Despite the Sixers showing to be one of the most resilient teams time and time again in these NBA playoffs, there are too many variables working against them to pull off the road upset in game two. While the Sixers’ resiliency will, in all likelihood, lead to a closer outcome compared to game one, the Knicks’ offense is simply too tough to overcome, especially when in the safe confines of the Garden.
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