The New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers are set to face off in the first round of the NBA playoffs, with both teams determined to overcome injuries and secure a victory. The Knicks finished the regular season strong, securing the second seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 50-32.
The arrival of OG Anunoby via trade significantly improved New York's defense, as they went 12-2 after his acquisition. Jalen Brunson stepped up as the team's primary scorer when Julius Randle and OG Anunoby were injured, averaging 31.5 points and 7.1 assists per game in that span.
The Knicks chose to win their final regular season game, securing the second seed instead of finishing anywhere from second to fourth place.
On the other hand, the seventh-seeded Philadelphia 76ers advanced through the play-in tournament. Joel Embiid, a perennial MVP candidate and key player for the 76ers, has been dealing with injuries throughout the season but is determined to play in the postseason.
Embiid averages double-digit rebounds per game and over 30 points per game. He lives at the rim, where the Knicks are most vulnerable defensively. The Sixers rank top-10 in NBA in at-the-rim shot frequency (36%), while the Knicks rank 19th in at-the-rim points per possession allowed (1.23).
The series promises to be a tough one, with both teams showing resilience and determination despite injuries. The winner will advance to face the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
Sources: https://www.espn.com/nba/team//name/nyk/new-york-knicks https://www.espn.com/nba/team//name/phi/philadelphia-76ers