Knicks up 3-0, Game 4 today in Philly

The series is suddenly very simple. The Knicks are one win from ending it, and the 76ers are one loss from getting swept out of the second round. That changed Friday night, when New York beat Philadelphia 108-94 in Game 3 behind 33 points from Jalen Brunson and a strong close from Mikal Bridges, who finished with 23. (cbssports.com) Game 4 is on Sunday, May 10, in Philadelphia. (wikihoops.com) If the Knicks win, they move on. If the Sixers win, they at least drag the series back to New York and buy themselves one more chance. That’s the whole mood now — New York is playing for the kill, and Philadelphia is playing to keep the season alive. (forbes.com) ### How did New York get here? The Knicks didn’t just squeak into this spot. They’ve controlled the series. They won Game 2 in New York, 108-102, then went to Philadelphia and took Game 3 by 14. Brunson has been the engine again, and in Game 3 he got enough help from Bridges and the rest of the rotation to keep every Sixers push from turning into a real comeback. (cbssports.com) ### Why did Game 3 feel so decisive? Because Philadelphia finally got Joel Embiid back, and it still didn’t change the result. Embiid returned while dealing with an ankle issue and a sore hip, but New York still pulled away in the second half. That matters because Game 3 was supposed to be the Sixers’ swing game — home floor, star center back, urgency maxed out. (wikihoops.com) Instead, the Knicks looked calmer and more organized late. ### What’s driving the Knicks? Brunson, basically. He’s been the series-defining player, and the Game 3 line tells the story — 33 points, late buckets, control of tempo. (espn.com) Even with OG Anunoby out in Game 3 because of a hamstring strain, New York still shot 50% from the field and got the kind of half-court execution that travels in the playoffs. That’s why a 3-0 lead here feels earned, not fluky. ### What’s gone wrong for Philly? The Sixers haven’t had enough margin for error, and right now they have too many errors. (apnews.com) Embiid’s health is still part of the story, but it’s not the only one. Tyrese Maxey had 17 points in the Game 3 loss, and Philadelphia never found the sustained offensive burst it needed. When the Knicks tightened things in the fourth quarter, the Sixers didn’t have a clean counter. ### Is 3-0 basically over? In NBA history, yes. No team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a series. So while Philadelphia can still win Game 4 and make things uncomfortable, the bigger mountain is obvious. (nbcsports.com) New York isn’t just ahead — it’s sitting on the one lead that has always held. ### What does Game 4 actually mean? For the Knicks, it’s a chance to finish the job early and get rest before the Eastern Conference finals path continues. For the Sixers, it’s more basic than that. It’s about avoiding the sweep, calming the noise, and proving this series is not as one-sided as the last two games have made it look. (foxsports.com) Game 4 is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. EDT in Philadelphia. ### So what should you watch first? Watch the first six minutes and watch Embiid’s mobility. If Philadelphia can’t set a more physical tone at home, this can get away from the Sixers fast. (forbes.com) But if Maxey gets downhill early and the building gets loud, New York may finally have to play from behind in this series. That’s the thin path Philly still has. The bottom line is pretty harsh. The Knicks have been the better team, Brunson has been the best player, and Sunday is a sweep chance in Philadelphia. The Sixers still have one game to change the feel of the series — but not much more than that. (sports.yahoo.com) (nbcsports.com)