The New York Knicks are in awesome shape to advance as they are up 3-1 and back in the Big Apple. Can the Philadelphia 76ers find a way to extend the series?
Catch the game this Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 7:30 AM, Manila time
AWAY: Philadelphia 76ers (1-3)
Projected Starting Five:
- Tyrese Maxey
- Kyle Lowry
- Kelly Oubre Jr.
- Tobias Harris
- Joel Embiid
The fourth quarter of Game 5 featured ugly offense from both sides. Sadly for the Sixers, they out-uglied the Knicks as they shot 6-of-25 in the frame and had no field goals over the last 5:04, which led to a 97-92 defeat that put them on the brink of elimination. Reigning MVP Joel Embiid scored one point on 0-of-5 shooting in the quarter, and had a Ben Simmon-esque moment at the waning seconds:
It will be interesting to see how Embiid will respond, although he should definitely look to put the ball in the basket instead of baiting for free throws. He is sitting at 35.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.0 blocks on an underwhelming 44.9% shooting in the series. He remains solid at getting to the charity stripe as he is 50-of-59 through four games.
Other All-Star and 2023-24 NBA Most Improved Player of the year Tyrese Maxey, meanwhile, has 29.0 points and 6.8 dimes, and will continue being the other premier scorer. Veteran point guard Kyle Lowry and forward Kelly Oubre Jr. are next line as scoring support. Lastly, Tobias Harris stays at the bottom as he has failed to show up behind a massive salary, averaging just 8.8 points on 39.5 FG% in the series.
HOME: New York Knicks (3-1)
Projected Starting Five:
- Jalen Brunson
- Donte DiVincenzo
- Josh Hart
- OG Anunoby
- Mitchell Robinson (day-to-day) / Isaiah Hartenstein
Knicks All-Star guard Jalen Brunson started the series horrendously, shooting a pitiful 16-of-55 in the first two games (which they fortunately won). Now, the tables have been turned. He has put up great back-to-back performances, including the Game 4 masterpiece that has put the team in great shape to close out tomorrow. The 27-year-old scored 47 of the team’s 97 points, and coupled it with 10 assists with just one turnover across 42 minutes. He will be fired up and look to carry that into Game 5.
Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Donte DiVincenzo are a fun bunch of ‘3 and D’ weapons that just play with a lot of energy on both ends, adding rising Sixth Man guard Deuce McBride to that is perfect too as he is a defensive pest and a timely shotmaker. It’s a random group too and it’s anyone’s guess as to who will mainly back Brunson up. Hart, however, seems to be ahead of everyone as he is netting 16.8 points, 12.8 boards, 4.0 dimes, 1.0 steals, and 1.3 blocks in the series.
Big man Mitchell Robinson is day-to-day with an ankle injury. Isiah Hartenstein and Precious Achiuwa, who had four blocks in Game 5, will take his minutes if he’s unavailable.
PICKS:
Spread: Knicks (-3.5)
Over/Under: Over (202)
