Game 3 of the best of 7 series in the NBA Playoffs first round will feature the New York Knicks on the road at the Philadelphia 76ers. This game is slated for Thursday. This is the first of back to back games played in Philadelphia. The New York Knicks won the first two games of the series at home.
The Knicks are the second seed in the Eastern Conference postseason. New York won 50 games during the regular season, and finished with five straight wins. The Knicks battled through injuries all season, and dropped to as low as fifth for a stretch in the season.
For Philadelphia, they also had injuries hamper their season. The 76ers finished 7th in the Eastern Conference. The 76ers beat the Heat in the play-in game, but have lost the first two in this series. Philadelphia won their final eight games of the regular season.
The Philadelphia 76ers are -4.5 over the New York Knicks in this game.
Balanced Attack for Knicks
All five starters scored double digits in the Game 2 win. Jalen Brunson was not great, going 8 for 29 from the field, finishing with 24 points and 8 rebounds. Josh Hart was strong, as he had 21 points and 15 rebounds. Donte DiVincenzo hit a big shot late, and scored 19 in the game.
In Game one, Brunson and Hart both scored 22 points. Miles McBride was a big story off the bench for the Knicks in that game. He scored 21 points in the game. New York as a team is scoring 112.8 points per game. The Knicks are making over 13 three point shots per game as well.
New York ranks fifth in the National Basketball Association in rebounds. The Knicks, if they win this series, will get either the third seeded Milwaukee Bucks, or sixth seeded Indiana Pacers in the second round.
Frustrated Philadelphia Team
The 76ers are still irritated from the loss in Game 2. They had a lead and lost it late. The loss spoiled big games from both Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Embiid scored 34 points and ripped down 10 rebounds in the game. Maxey was strong with 35 points and 9 rebounds in the game as well.
Philadelphia got 33 from Maxey and 29 from Embiid in the first loss of the series as well. Tobias Harris has not been real strong for Philadelphia. He scored just 7 in the opener and 10 in Game 2. They will need more out of him in Game 3.
Philadelphia is scoring 114.6 points per game. The 76ers are shooting the three point shot at 36.3% on the season. Philadelphia is making more than 82% from the free throw line, which is second to Oklahoma City. The 76ers are one of the better offensive rebounding teams as well, with 11.1 per game.
76ers Climb Back in Series
Philadelphia did not enjoy the way Game 2 ended. They are going to be irritated when this game gets started on Thursday. Joel Embiid is going to make sure he lets his presence be known right away in this one.
We do expect the 76ers to win this game, and make this a series. In fact, the 76ers are going to win this game with ease. By double digits over the Knicks. Bet the Philadelphia 76ers -4.5 over the New York Knicks on Thursday!
