We have the first game in the second round of the NBA playoffs. The New York Knicks will host the Philadelphia 76ers to get a step closer to the NBA Finals. The New York Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks in six games to advance. The Knicks destroyed the Atlanta Hawks by 51 points on the road to clinch the series. The Philadelphia 76ers upset the Boston Celtics in seven games to advance. Jayson Tatum missed the final game of the series with a knee injury. Joel Embiid missed the first three games of the series after having an appendectomy. These two teams have a long history against each other. Karl Anthony-Towns and Joel Embiid also have a history after going at each other a few years ago. Who will advance to the Eastern Conference Finals between New York and Philadelphia?
New York Knicks
The New York Knicks were one of the favorites from the Eastern Conference to make the NBA Finals. The Knicks almost advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals a year ago. They fell to the Indiana Pacers after having a pair of key injuries in the series. Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby both were injured in last year’s playoffs. The Knicks have a complete team led by Jalen Brunson. Brunson has been as clutch as anyone these playoffs. Karl Anthony-Towns was key to them dismantling the Atlanta Hawks, but the Sixers are a different entity. The intensity on the defensive side from Josh Hart and OG Anunoby will be needed in this series. If it weren’t for injuries in the playoffs last season, this Knicks team should’ve been in the NBA Finals. Can they get one step closer to making their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999?
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers fell behind three games to one in their series against Boston. Joel Embiid made a surprise return to the lineup in Game 4 of the series. Embiid returned 17 days after undergoing an emergency appendectomy. Embiid finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds in 34 minutes in their blowout loss to the Celtics. Philadelphia would win three consecutive games to close out the Celtics. Tyrese Maxey is one of the fastest players in the NBA and defenders can’t stay in front of him. Maxey is a problem and will continue to be in this series. Paul George and his defense were impressive throughout the first round. The key moving forward in this series is the health of guys like Joel Embiid and Paul George. Can the Philadelphia 76ers get one step closer to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2001?
Who Wins the Series and In How Many Games?
As mentioned earlier, the New York Knicks were one of the favorites to make the NBA Finals from the East. After falling to the Hawks, Mike Brown made the adjustments to blow past Atlanta. Philadelphia is a much tougher team and one I’ve said could be the best team in the East, if healthy. Joel Embiid returned from injury and picked up where he left off. Tyrese Maxey has played like an All-Star and Paul George have turned back the clock. New York will have a tough time matching up with Embiid and don’t think KAT could do it himself. Jalen Brunson is the key to the Knicks success along with OG Anunoby. This has the potential to be a seven game series. If both sides are healthy, this is a toss-up. Seeing the Knicks have home court advantage and will have a Game 7 at home I’m picking them.
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