NEW YORK @ PHILADELPHIA (PHI -4.5, 209.5)
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KNICKS VS. 76ERS 4/28/24
Despite being limited in more ways than one, Joel Embiid saved the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. Today, the reigning Most Valuable Player will look to help the Sixers even their Eastern Conference first-round series at two wins apiece when they host the New York Knicks in Game 4.
Embiid poured in a playoff career-high 50 points while still struggling on his surgically repaired left knee in a 125-114 win over the Knicks in Game 3 on Thursday. Embiid had surgery on the lateral meniscus on Feb. 6. In addition, Embiid confirmed an ESPN report that he had also been diagnosed with Bell's palsy.
Embiid produced a 50-point game on 13-of-19 shooting from the field, 5-of-7 from 3-point range and 19-of-21 from the free throw line. The only other Sixers to score at least 50 in a playoff game are Allen Iverson (three times) and Billy Cunningham. Tyrese Maxey scored 25 points, Kelly Oubre Jr. added 15 and Cam Payne gave the Sixers an unexpected lift off the bench with 11.
The Knicks will look to rebound from their Game 3 loss. Jalen Brunson had 39 points and 13 assists in Game 3. Josh Hart added 20 points, OG Anunoby had 17 and Isaiah Hartenstein contributed 14. But, the Knicks had to play the second half without Mitchell Robinson, who suffered a sprained ankle.
Embiid committed a flagrant 1 foul against Robinson with 4:34 left in the first quarter. Robinson left the Wells Fargo Center in a walking boot and his status is unclear. The Knicks believed it was enough to have Embiid ejected. Donte DiVincenzo called the play "dirty."
While the Knicks will need to focus on Embiid, they also need to concentrate on how they approach the game from the opening tip. Keep in mind that the Knicks have won five of the last seven games against the Sixers.
Playing in Philadelphia will be a huge advantage for the Sixers. They have won six straight games at home. They have also beaten the Knicks in 12 of the last 16 games in which they played in Philadelphia. Win or lose, Game 5 will be in New York on Tuesday night.
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FREE PICK: JOEL EMBIID UNDER 33.5 POINTS
There is some history here that shows that Embiid’s production drops off in games following huge scoring outputs. Take his top games this season. He scored 70 against San Antonio in January. He followed that up with a 31-point effort against Indiana. Embiid scored 51 against Minnesota in December and two nights later had 31 against Toronto. In his top four scoring games this season, only once did Embiid surpass today’s scoring prop. Plus, in 19 career games against the Knicks, he’s only averaging 25.5 a game.
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