This is perhaps the sexiest poster on paper of this first round in the East. On one side, the Sixers and Joel Embiid, reigning MVP, on the other, the Knicks who had their best regular season since the 2012/13 financial year! Even if it is the second against the seventh, there is little difference between the two teams (50 successes for New York, 47 for Philadelphia) and that promises an intense and indecisive series.
The two teams were stopped in the conference semi-finals in 2023 and are very ambitious. For the Sixers, avoiding the Celtics is a relief, but facing the Knicks won't be a cakewalk. Even without Julius Randle, New York has heart, an All-Star with Jalen Brunson and will have home-field advantage. But how to deal with Joel Embiid? It promises.
PRESENTATION OF THE KNICKS
The holders: J. Brunson, D. DiVincenzo, J. Hart, O. Anunoby, I. Hartenstein
The replacements: M. McBride, M. Robinson, P. Achiuwa, B. Bogdanovic
The absents : J. Randle
The coach: T. Thibodeau
After an already successful last season, with 47 victories, the Knicks were even stronger this year with 50 victories. A total never seen for more than ten years for them. This second place in the Eastern Conference crowns a pretty crazy season and team. The leaders made strong trades, letting go of RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to bring in OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa.
The British winger has been particularly valuable since his arrival. However, with injuries to Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle, they were not spared. The second is also forfeited for the playoffs. But even without its All-Star interior, this team has mental resources and an impressive Jalen Brunson.
The strong point
– The collective sublimated by Jalen Brunson. The strength of the Knicks, despite the injuries and the change of face during the season, is the group. Tom Thibodeau has built a small army where each soldier contributes his contribution, in his register. The intensity and defense for Josh Hart, the 3-point shots for Donte DiVincenzo, the battle under the circle for Isaiah Hartenstein. Everyone knows their role, does it very well and can do even more if a player is missing.
Seventh offense and ninth defense in the league, this team is balanced and has a main weapon to take it even higher: Jalen Brunson. The playoffs belong to the big players and, with him, New York can blow up any defense and find solutions when the air becomes unbreathable.
The weak point
– Struggle against big defenses. If the Knicks are generally effective offensively, on the other hand, against big defenses, they suffer to find the path to the circle and have difficulty winning matches. Just look at their record against Minnesota, Boston, Orlando and Oklahoma City, the four best defenses of the season: 3 wins for 10 losses, including eight outings with less than 108 points (their average).
In addition, 19 times this season, Jalen Brunson and his teammates did not exceed 105 points scored: they then lost 16 times… The Knicks do not refuse physical battle and trench warfare, but low-scoring matches do not necessarily fall on their side.
PRESENTATION OF THE SIXERS
The holders: K. Lowry, T. Maxey, K. Oubre Jr, T. Harris, J. Embiid
The replacements: B. Hield, N. Batum, P. Reed, C. Payne, M. Bamba, K. Martin
The absents : D. Melton, R. Covington
The coach: N.Nurse
Joel Embiid's injury put an end to the season of the Sixers, who gritted their teeth for several long weeks, nevertheless falling in the standings, while awaiting his return.
He intervened at the best of times to give hope for the playoffs. Because the 2023 MVP has a large part of the dreams and qualities of his team in his hands. If this group is certainly complete, with solid players, without the future Team USA player, it is logically less strong, especially offensively, and quickly shows its limits. Clearly, Philadelphia players will go where their pivot can take them.
The strong point
– The density of the workforce. With confidence and a great collective dynamic, the Sixers can hope to go far in the playoffs because, in addition to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, the team's bosses, Nick Nurse can also rely on varied profiles like those of Tobias Harris, Kelly Oubre Jr, Buddy Hield, Kyle Lowry, Nicolas Batum (essential against the Heat), De'Anthony Melton or even Paul Reed depending on the adversity. Enough to calmly look forward to the rest of the competition if everyone is on their two feet, because we have clearly seen to what extent this group could be threatening as a whole.
The weak point
– Joel Embiid's health. With their MVP in uniform, the Sixers have a very nice record of 32 victories and 8 defeats. Except that, when he is not there, and this has often been the case from December onwards, then especially in February and March, they only have 16 victories and 27 defeats. Suffice to say that Philadelphia depends more than ever on the state of health of Joel Embiid, who also suffered a scare in his left knee before the end of the regular season, and also on his performances. With him in great shape, dominant and a supporting cast at the level, everything seems possible collectively but, without him, the title hopes automatically disappear.
THE KEY TO THE SERIES
– Joel Embiid. It's always reductive to summarize a series and such a duel to a single player, but it takes up so much space and changes everything so much that it makes sense to see things from this angle. Tom Thibodeau knows that he cannot let the pivot (who has only played once against them this season) ravage his racket for several matches without suffering the consequences. Nicolas Batum explained it after the victory against Miami: the shooters must give air to the pivot, who still lacks rhythm after his two months in the infirmary. The outsides help Joel Embiid as much as he helps them when he dominates near the rim and concentrates defenders.
With Isaiah Hartenstein, Mitchell Robinson and Precious Achiuwa, the Knicks have players to respond to this challenge, in order to limit the impact of the 2023 MVP as much as possible and sacrifice themselves by giving fouls. If they can contain him and tire him out, life would be much simpler for them. On the other hand, if he does damage, makes baskets and free throws, the Knicks will have a hard time hoping to win four games in two weeks. The Jalen Brunson – Tyrese Maxey duel will also be exciting to follow, but Joel Embiid stands out as the barometer of this series.
REGULAR SEASON
New York 3-1
January 5: Philadelphia – New York (92-128)
February 22: Philadelphia – New York (96-110)
March 10: New York – Philadelphia (73-79)
March 12: New York – Philadelphia (106-79)
VERDICT
Sixers 4-2. Who says sexy and indecisive series, says series difficult to predict. Three out of four games in the season were won by the Knicks, but three were also played without Joel Embiid, making it difficult to rely on this reference. Additionally, both teams finished the regular season very well, therefore, the dynamics are similar. The series could be decided on details, but the 2023 MVP is not a detail and if he is in great shape, the Sixers will have a definite advantage. But against such valiant Knicks, nothing will be given and it would not be surprising to have to wait for a Game 6 or a Game 7 before this series delivers its truth.
CALENDAR
Saturday April 20: New York – Philadelphia (midnight)
Monday April 22: New York – Philadelphia (1h30)
Thursday April 25: Philadelphia – New York (1h30)
Sunday April 28: Philadelphia – New York (7:00 p.m.)
Tuesday April 30: New York – Philadelphia (if necessary)
Thursday May 2: Philadelphia – New York (if necessary)
Sameid May 4: New York – Philadelphia (if necessary)
