Playoff Game Preview: New York Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers, Game 4, April 28, 2024

The 2024 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs continue in today’s matinee when the New York Knicks battle the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. This marks the fourth game of the first round. New York holds a 2-1 lead in the series.

A dominant Joel Embiid performance led Philadelphia to a 125-114 win on Thursday. We have discussed at length how Embiid’s aggressive play reduced the Knicks’ pool of centers by re-injuring Mitchell Robinson and how, coincidentally, he scored 50 points, a personal best for a postseason game. More ink could be spilled to celebrate Jalen Brunson’s big bounce-back game, however. In 45 minutes, New York’s lead guard recorded a double-double with 39 points and 13 assists, and shot 48% from the field, 43% from deep. That was a marked improvement on the previous two games when Jalen shot 16-of-55 from the floor and 17% from beyond the arc.

Josh Hart has played an excellent series for the Knicks. In the first three games, he averaged 21 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. And for the Phillies, Tyrese Maxey has been a dynamo. Maxey has averaged 31 points, seven assists, and five rebounds.

On the injury report, both Robinson and Embiid are listed as game-time decisions. Expect Joel to play, and trust that Mitch will give his best effort to be available, at least.

Prediction

ESPN.com gives New York a 40% chance of winning. That’s understandable. The Knicks already lack frontcourt bulk with Julius Randle out, and they’ll be further disadvantaged against Philly’s 7’0”, 300 lb golem if Robinson sits. Winning on the road is a challenge. Philly is tough. The refs! Yadda, yadda.

We can assume that Thibs has been glued to a monitor, concocting new schemes to try to derail the Embiid train. That might mean blitzing OG Anunoby at him or bringing Precious Achiuwa off the bench sooner to get some whacks in, but whatever his adjustments, there will be no 50-Burgers for Joel today. Sure, Maxey will score more than Kelly “No Brakes” Oubre, Jr. and Tobias “No Buckets” Harris combined. We can live with that. Overall, look for the Knicks to get more offensive production from Donte DiVincenzo and Deuce McBride this time out, and better defensive play combined with a Brunson gem will secure the win. Knicks +3.

Game Details

What: Round One, Game Four, 2024 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs
Who: New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers
When: 1 pm EST, Sunday, April 28, 2024
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
Watch: MSG, ABC
Follow: @ptknicksblog