(Photo : (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)) NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 10: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks dribbles as Kyle Lowry #7 and Paul Reed #44 of the Philadelphia 76ers defend throughout the second half at Madison Square Garden on March 10, 2024 in New York City. The 76ers gained 79-73. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, User is consenting to the phrases and situations of the Getty Images License Agreement.
The No.2 seed New York Knicks will tackle the No.7 seed Philadelphia 76ers within the first spherical of the 2024 NBA Playoffs this weekend.
Despite not seeing one of the best model of one another all through the common season, this must be a gritty matchup between two Atlantic division groups.
Here is a breakdown of what to anticipate from this collection.
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NBA Playoffs Preview: Knicks vs. 76ers
Joel Embiid shook off a number of boos from a ruckus Wells Fargo crowd final evening, lifting the Sixers previous the Miami Heat along with his robust 23 factors and 15 rebounds efficiency.
Embiid’s efficiency final evening confirmed why the 76ers will at all times have a shot at a championship whereas he’s within the combine.
Their activity is to face a wonderful New York Knicks workforce that had one in every of their finest seasons in franchise historical past final 12 months, clinching the No.2 seed and successful 50 video games.s
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NBA Playoffs Preview: Defensive Strategy in Knicks vs. 76ers
This one will come right down to how Tom Thibodeau and Nick Nurse recreation plan for each groups’ opposing stars.
Without Julius Randle within the lineup, Jalen Brunson must work tougher on offense to assist the Knicks take the collection.
The 76ers will do no matter it takes to decelerate Brunson, who’s coming off a profession 12 months.
Jalen Brunson could possibly be given a number of completely different appears, from Kelly Oubre Jr. to Kyle Lowry, all of whom are greater our bodies who might disrupt Brunson and the Knicks’ offense.
Meanwhile, the Knicks should determine a recreation plan for Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid.
Maxey this season has proven up in important methods by changing into an All-Star and carrying Philly in video games when Embiid was out with harm.
We might see O.G. Anunoby, Miles McBride, and Donte DiVincenzo get some minutes to try to decelerate Maxey.
Joel Embiid is a former NBA MVP for a motive. Embiid was within the midst of one other robust season earlier than his harm that pressured him to overlook 30 video games this season. The Process shortly picked up the place he had left off as soon as he made his return.
Embiid has killed the Knicks in each recreation he has performed in, both within the Garden or at Wells Fargo Arena, all through his profession.
With the Knicks’ ample man depth in shambles with out Julius Randle, it could be fascinating to see how Thibs approaches Embiid defensively.
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NBA Playoff Preview: Knicks vs. 76ers X-Factors
From Nicolas Batum to Josh Hart and Kyle Lowry, there are a number of key X-Factors on each side that might assist swing this collection.
For the Knicks, getting a big-time efficiency from anybody who might assist tackle a number of the offensive load from Jalen Brunson could be essential.
We have seen names like Hart, DiVincenzo, McBride, and Bogdanovic come up all through the season for the Knicks with out Randle.
The 76ers want a giant efficiency from both Tobias Harris or Kelly Oubre Jr. this collection together with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
Oubre and Harris have confirmed to be excellent offensive gamers all through their careers. They should step up large to assist in giving Philly the sting on this collection in opposition to the Knicks.
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