NBA News NBA News, Match Reports and Updates
The Knicks are playing some of their best basketball at the right time. After a decisive 140-89 win that closed out a first round series win against the Atlanta Hawks, New York is in the second round for the fourth consecutive year. The Knicks’ Semifinals opponent, the Philadelphia 76ers, just completed a stunning comeback from a 3-1 first round series deficit against the Boston Celtics on Saturday night.
With the series opener on Monday at Madison Square Garden, let’s dive into keys to the game.
Advertisement
Containing Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid
The 76ers have one of the better tandems in the NBA in Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. Both players are more formidable than any of the Atlanta Hawks players New York defended in the first round.
Maxey has continued to grow as an undeniable offensive talent. He was phenomenal in the first round, averaging 26.9 points on 47 percent from the field in seven games. In the closeout game, Maxey knifed into the lane a couple of times late to seal the series for Philadelphia.
Mikal Bridges will likely get the primary assignment on Philadelphia’s All-Star point guard at the beginning of the series. OG Anunoby and Josh Hart should be in the mix as well. Also, expect Miles McBride and Jose Alvarado to see time defending Maxey. Covering the 6-2 guard will be difficult, because of his blur-like quickness both in the halfcourt and in transition. He’s also a quality three-point shooter, knocking down 41.8 percent of his 55 long distance attempts against the Celtics.
Advertisement
Though Embiid missed the start of the playoffs because he was recovering from an emergency appendectomy, he quickly found his groove mid-series. Embiid is a skilled big with a near automatic midrange jumper. One of Embiid’s best skills is his ability to get to the free-throw line.
In his four playoff games against Boston, Embiid attempted 37 freebies in 146 minutes. New York likely will rely on Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson to guard Embiid throughout the series. It will be imperative for both big men to avoid picking up silly fouls. The Knicks need both Towns and Robinson on the floor as much…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/3-keys-game-1-knicks-142004936.html
Author :
Publish date : 2026-05-03 14:20:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
