Keys to a Knicks win over the Sixers in tomorrow’s Game Four

In Game Three of the first round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers claimed a series-saving, 125-114 victory over the New York Knicks. Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey have kept the Sixers upright through the series, and in Game Three, they finally got support. Kelly “Crash Gordon” Oubre Jr. added 15 points, shooting 6-of-8 from the field, and bench guy Cam “Did You See That Shot?” Payne provided an offensive and defensive spark.

Here are a few thoughts on how the Knicks can bounce back, escape the City of Brotherly Love with a victory, and bring a 3-1 series lead back to NYC.

Petition the league to suspend Joel Embiid

I know, I know—that won’t happen, despite Embiid’s many reckless and dangerous actions in Game Three. Besides knocking down players, last season’s MVP was knocking down shots like a madman. Joel led the team with a playoff career-high of 50 points, shooting 13-of-19 from the field and adding eight rebounds and four assists. As impossible as it sometimes seems, however, there are ways to neutralize the seven-foot wrecking ball.

Trust Tom Thibodeau to have a plan in place to make Joel’s life more difficult in Game Four. The Knicks need to cut off passes to Embiid and have Isaiah Hartenstein force him out (good luck) so that when Joel does receive the ball, he’s well outside the paint. They should send doubles to his blindside, or at least blitz a second defender when he steps into the paint. New York must force him into difficult shots, fadeaway jumpers, and off-balance twos. Thibs knows all this and more.

Whether the coach has the personnel to carry out his plan might be the issue. No matter how cleanly Isaiah plays Embiid, it’s impossible to know whether or not overzealous whistles will put our big man in foul trouble. With Mitchell Robinson likely sidelined with a sprained ankle, look for Precious Achiuwa to cover for iHart, and for OG Anunoby to contest Embiid more often throughout the game.

Beware the third quarter

In Game One, both teams took 13-point leads. New York lost their lead midway through the third period but won with a lion-Harted effort in the fourth.

During Game Two, the Sixers held a lead, but never more than 10 points, until the middle of the third quarter. New York would go ahead by eight before falling behind and having to claw back with a miracle finish.

Game Three saw nine lead changes before Philly hit the gas in the third quarter. They would finish the frame ahead 98-85, a hole out of which the Knicks could not climb.

There were scoreboard swings in the third quarters of all three games, which is a credit to smart coaching adjustments. If New York comes out of intermission with a lead, Tom Thibodeau must anticipate and intercept whatever Nick Nurse has plotted. Whatever the Knicks do, they cannot allow another 43-point third, or to fall behind by 16 points heading into the final frame.

Be the better bench

In his 16 minutes, Cameron Payne posted 11 points in Game 3 and made three of four three-point attempts. You might have noticed his buckets because no player celebrates a Cam Payne shot harder than Cam Payne. In total, the Sixers bench scored 18 points, with barely any contributions from Nic Batum and Paul Reed. Buddy Hield scored zero points in four minutes of play.

The Knicks bench scored 19 points, led by eight from Miles McBride (in 22 minutes) and five from Bojan Bogdanovic (13 minutes). Not much has been said about Bogey’s wrist, which is bothering him and needs rest that he can’t give it at the moment. He was clearly hindered in the last game. One bad pass he threw, late in the game, seemed to be a pained reaction to trying to dribble with the afflicted wrist.

A few more points from Deuce McBride would go a long way in this game, especially if Bojan is a hurting puppy. With Robinson likely out, Precious will round out the trio of bench players–we don’t foresee Jericho Sims getting in unless the wheels come off. Precious has a nice interior game, and it’s always a thrill when Jalen Brunson or Deuce finds him with a backdoor pass for an easy jam. More of that, please.

Get more from Donte DiVincenzo

Four of the Knicks starters recorded double-digit points on Thursday. Jalen Brunson got a double-double with 39 points and 13 assists. Josh Hart contributed 20 points and added six rebounds and six assists. OG Anunoby put up 17 points, and Isaiah Hartenstein dropped 14 points.

But wherefore art thou, Donte? Donte DiVincenzo managed just five points in 28 minutes while shooting 2-of-7 from the field and 0-of-3 from deep. This performance was a 180-degree turn from his game winning theatrics in Game Two. In that contest, he collected 19 points on 50% shooting, hitting 4-of-8 downtown and won the game with a go-ahead triple.

The Sixers were a top team with a healthy Embiid this year and closed out their season with a nine-win run. They have a chance to even the series in tomorrow’s Game 4. To prevent that, the Knicks will need a return to form from Donte, the Knicks single-season record-holder for most made threes. Let’s see how he, and the Knicks, respond tomorrow.

Go Knicks!