Knicks go for sweep of 76ers in Game 4

The Knicks are in the simple part of the playoffs now — the part where one more clean game ends the series. They beat Philadelphia 137-98 in Game 1, 108-102 in Game 2, and 108-94 in Game 3, so Sunday afternoon in Philly is a closeout chance, not a momentum swing. That matters because a 3-0 lead in the NBA is basically a death sentence, and New York is also trying to make a second straight trip to the Eastern Conference finals. ### What’s actually on the line Sunday? A sweep, obviously, but also rest. If the Knicks finish this in four, they get to sit back and wait for Cleveland-Detroit while everyone else keeps taking hits. The NBA’s series page has New York lined up for Game 5 on May 12 only if Philadelphia survives, which tells you how narrow the Sixers’ margin is now. (nba.com) ### Why has this series tilted so hard? Start with the scores. Game 1 was a 39-point blowout. Game 2 was the only real fight, and even there New York won the fourth quarter 19-12 after Philadelphia coughed up 18 turnovers that turned into 23 Knicks points. Game 3 looked competitive for stretches, but the Knicks still won by 14 and controlled the glass 49-33. (nba.com) ### Why does Brunson feel like the whole story? Because he’s been the one constant answer every time the game gets sticky. Brunson is averaging 31.3 points in the series, and he had 33 points plus 9 assists in Game 3. The NBA’s Game 4 preview also points to New York’s weirdly strong late-clock offense — the Knicks have posted a 61.8% effective field goal rate in the final 7 seconds of the shot clock in this series, which is absurdly good for the hardest possessions on the floor. (nba.com) That’s very Brunson-ball — hold up under pressure, create something late, make the defense feel every mistake. ### Is this all bad Sixers play? Not entirely. The catch is that Philadelphia has generated better looks than the results suggest. NBA tracking in the Game 4 preview says the Sixers’ expected effective field goal percentage in Game 3 was 55.6%, their best mark of the postseason, but the actual number landed at 48.2%. In plain English — they got decent shots and missed too many of them. Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 22 in Game 3, Embiid returned and gave them 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, but the support around those possessions has not held up. (nba.com) ### What about injuries? That’s the one thing that could make this less straightforward. Joel Embiid is listed probable with right hip soreness, so Philadelphia expects him out there. OG Anunoby is questionable with a right hamstring strain after missing Game 3. If Anunoby sits again, New York loses one of its best wing defenders and some lineup flexibility, even if the Knicks have already shown they can win without him. (nba.com) ### Are the Knicks huge favorites? Not really huge — just deserved favorites. NBC’s betting snapshot had New York at -122 on the moneyline and -1.5 on the spread Sunday morning. That’s not “Philadelphia has no chance.” It’s more like “the market sees the better team, but also knows desperation at home can bend one game.” (nba.com) ### Why does the 3-0 part matter so much? Because history is brutal here. No NBA team has ever lost a playoff series after taking a 3-0 lead. So the Sixers aren’t trying to solve New York for four straight games in theory — they’re trying to become the first team ever to do it. That’s why Game 4 feels less like a normal playoff game and more like a final exam Philly did not want. (nbcsports.com) ### Bottom line The Knicks don’t need to reinvent anything. They need one more Brunson-controlled game, enough rebounding, and enough defense to keep Philadelphia chasing. The Sixers need shotmaking to finally match their shot quality — and they need it immediately. (nba.com)