Knicks Over Sixers: Power, Depth, and a Trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Written by Brandon Pulmano
Founder | Sideline Society Media
The Philadelphia 76ers pulled off one of the more improbable comebacks in recent playoff memory. Rallying from a 3-1 deficit to eliminate the Boston Celtics in seven games. It was a gritty statement making run but the reward for surviving that war is arguably an even tougher opponent. Now they face the New York Knicks. After a 137-98 demolition in Game 1, the degree of difficulty has turned up significantly.
Boston's offense was predicated on spacing, ball movement, and three point volume. The Knicks are built differently they can do all of that. But they also have Jalen Brunson, a first-team All-NBA guard who can get buckets in isolation, in the pick-and-roll, and in the mid range at will. He dropped 35 points in Game 1 and the Sixers had no answer for him all night. It didn’t matter who they had on him.
The Karl Anthony Towns wrinkle makes it even tougher for them. When Brunson runs pick and rolls with Towns, Philadelphia's defensive assignments get messy. You had Paul George and Oubre switching onto Towns a mismatch in the post while Embiid at times found himself scrambling to contest Brunson in space. This is a role he was never designed to fill. VJ Edgecombe is an good young defender with real tools, but he was exposed in Game 1. Energy and athleticism only take you so far against a guard of Brunson's caliber and poise.
Unlike the Celtics, who could go cold from three and become a beatable team, the Knicks can hurt you in multiple ways. Through seven playoff games, New York has owned the second best offensive rating and the third best defensive rating in the postseason. Their point differential of +20.6 per game would be historically unprecedented if it holds a number that underscores just how dominant they have been on both ends.
They also have depth the Sixers simply cannot match. New York's bench has been one of the best units in the league all season, and in the playoffs that advantage gets amplified when stars need rest or get into foul trouble.
For Philadelphia to have any chance, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey must be exceptional not just good on a nightly basis. The problem is that Embiid figures to be heavily contested by a Towns Mitchell Robinson tag team that will throw size, length, and physicality at him in waves. I see Embiid slowing down this series.
Maxey needs to have his foot on the gas from tip. He cannot afford quiet first halves or passive stretches. He is the engine that keeps the offense flowing when Embiid isn't dominant.
The X-Factor of this series to me is VJ Edgecombe. His athleticism, motor, and defensive instincts make him the kind of player that could disrupt New York's rhythm. He could give Philadelphia a spark off the bench or in the starting lineup. But he is still a young player finding his footing at this level.
Prediction: Knicks in 6
The Knicks are headed to the Eastern Conference Finals. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns will continue to lead the charge with big performances. The real difference will be New York’s defense and depth. Philadelphia simply won’t be able to keep up offensively over the course of a series.
