Playoff Game Preview: Knicks vs 76ers, Game 2, April 22, 2024

The 2024 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs continue tonight when the New York Knicks (50-32) host the Philadelphia 76ers (47-35) at Madison Square Garden in the second game of round one. So far, this series is by far the most entertaining series of all the first-rounders. Would you expect any less from our Broadway stars?

In the first go-round, Deuce McBride starred off the bench with 21 points to lead the New York Knicks to a 111-104 victory. Both Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart scored 22 points each, but the Knicks’ reservists were essential to the win, with significant buckets from Bojan Bogdanovic and a monstrous performance by Mitchell Robinson.

As for the Sixers starters, Tyrese Maxey put up 33 points on 14-of-26 shooting, and Joel Embiid, despite a wobbly knee, added 29 points. Kyle Lowry put up 18 points, and Kelly Oubre, Jr. scored 10 points and added five steals. Tobias Harris did a fair impersonation of the Invisible Man, scoring seven points and nine rebounds. The Pennsylvanian bench managed just seven points—reserve sharpshooter Buddy Hield gave them zero points in 11 minutes. Ouch!

Maxey is on the injury report as “questionable” due to illness and did not participate in shootaround. He knew better than eating in a NYC restaurant after Game 1, right? Someone told him what happened when Michael Jordan ordered a pizza in Utah, right??

Prediction

ESPN.com gives New York a 56% chance of victory tonight. Sure. Philly will be motivated to even up the series before heading home on Thursday for the third tilt. Tonight, they’ll want to rely on Maxey again (questionable), try to incorporate Oubre more (bleech), and pray that Joel Embiid’s leg stays together (bolts!).

We can assume that the rival coaches, Nick Nurse and Tom Thibodeau, have been eating bowls of film at every meal and will alter their schemes to exploit their opponent’s weaknesses. Nurse had an excellent gameplan for Jalen Brunson in the first outing, getting under Jalen’s skin and preventing him from easily initiating his usual scoring actions. Thibs will be looking to foil Nurse’s plans and also alter his defensive schemes to better contain Maxey, if he plays—probably with extra Deuce coverage since McBride seems best equipped for slowing down the speedy guard.

Embiid hurt his surgically repaired knee again in the first half of the last game and walked like he was on stilts post-intermission. One has to question the wisdom of risking this tremendous athlete’s health in what looks to be a short postseason run. Here’s a theory from Tin Hat Corner: Daryl Morey is so convinced that Joel will demand a trade this summer that he’s intentionally trying to ruin Embiid for whoever employs him next. Eh? Discuss. Meanwhile, Knicks win, +2.

Game Details

What: Round One, Game Two, 2024 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs

Who: New York Knicks (50-32) vs Philadelphia 76ers (47-35)

When: 7:30 pm EST, Monday, April 22, 2024

Where: Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, NYC

Watch: MSG, TNT

Follow: @ptknicksblog