The paper’s basketball experts predict the winner of Saturday night’s first-round NBA playoff showdown between the Knicks and 76ers at Madison Square Garden.
Stephen Bondy
Joel Embiid’s play during the game, as he was flustered by Miami’s defense and on the verge of knee surgery, left the impression that he was not close to 100 percent.
That means the Knicks can whitewash him in the pick-and-roll and hope Embiid doesn’t have confidence in his knees to attack the basket on offense.
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peter bot
Facing Embiid in the first round isn’t the greatest reward for a team that is pushing toward a second-place finish in the East, but head coach Tom Thibodeau’s Knicks have confidence and ability with the two-way weapon of OG Anunoby. There is a strong MVP candidate in Jalen Brunson, who will play a key role. The players were used to intense play.
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brian lewis
The 76ers have the wings to throw to Brunson.
However, the Knicks defeated Philly by 36 points on January 5 thanks to Embiid’s performance. Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein do it again.
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mike vacaro
It was supposed to be a hell of a series, but the Sixers won nine straight.
Make sure both teams take at least one car on the road.
But if the Garden plays the Knicks in Game 7 for the first time since 1995, the ending will be different this time.
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