Do or Die: Knicks vs. 76ers Game 4 Preview

The Sixers making it as far as they have this season is an accomplishment of its own. The fact that this team, which won just 24 games last season, could get out of the Play-In, take down the 2-seed Celtics in the first round in a 3-1 comeback as the 7-seed, and make it back to the second round of the NBA playoffs is simply remarkable.

Now facing a 3-0 deficit in the series against New York, everything points towards Philadelphia losing Game 4 as well and falling victim to a sweep. Of course, Philadelphia fans may want to point out how, after coming back from 3-1 last series, there is an opportunity to be the first team to come back from 3-0 in this series, but if the team wants any fighting chance, they must take it one game at a time.

In Game 4, Nick Nurse and company need to work as a collective to extend this series as far as they can take it.

The Starters Must Perform

Philadelphia’s weakness has been completely exposed in this series, and it has been the lack of depth behind the starters. The only players outside the starting lineup who can make any impact in the scoring column are Quentin Grimes and, occasionally, Andre Drummond, but even that may be a stretch. While this is an issue that needs focus over the offseason, right now, Nurse and his crew must focus on capitalizing on every opportunity with the starters.

In Game 3, Philadelphia only saw 11 points from the bench. If they are not going to have any help on that side of the roster, the starters must step up. Kelly Oubre Jr. was the leading scorer for the Sixers with 22 points; a number that needs to not only be higher, but needs to come from the actual All-Stars on the team, like Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Embiid and Maxey combined for 35 points, which absolutely is not enough in a playoff game like this.

Paul George‘s scoring contributions were on par with 15 points, all in the first quarter, and VJ Edgecombe‘s 11 wasn’t the worst, but the lack of scoring from the two stars led the team to its demise.

If they want a fighting chance in Game 4 and the rest of this series, Philadelphia must see more efficient and effective scoring from its starting lineup.

Defensive Priority = Stop Jalen Brunson

At times, it has felt like Philadelphia has put too much focus on defending the pieces around Brunson, rather than Brunson himself. The star point guard for New York has led the team in scoring in all 3 games against Philly, averaging over 30 points per game. He is performing at an elite clip and needs to be the priority for the defense.

The pieces around Brunson are excellent, with Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, or Josh Hart having the ability to take off themselves if they have the chance, but Brunson is just too dangerous to be considered secondary on the defensive side of the ball.

Additionally, having Edgecombe as the primary defender on Brunson may not be the right matchup. Edgecombe’s youth is occasionally brought out and showcased when Brunson attacks him, but Brunson does sometimes struggle when Oubre is on him. Oubre’s experience, quickness, and length are all huge pieces for his defensive prowess, and it may be the right move to have him be the primary defender on Brunson.

Philadelphia Needs to Show Up

It would be understandable for fans to check out at this point in the series, falling down 3-0. It’s easy to give up now and woe in the misery of another season without a Conference Finals appearance.

But the Sixers aren’t supposed to be here. The fans need to come out and support the team, even if it is all for naught.

Even with Embiid’s plea to the fans not to let the Knicks faithful take over, Game 3 was a home game for New York. Game 4 needs to be the opposite. Philadelphia fans are notorious for being faithful through thick and thin, but sometimes it seems like that does not apply to sticking it out with the 76ers.

There is a clear opportunity for fans to ignore that narrative and support the team, and play their part in extending this series. Over the years, players have talked about the advantage of playing in Philadelphia, and that advantage must come out of the clouds in Game 4. Embiid specifically feeds into the energy around him in the building, with him playing better with the crowd shouting at him, whether that be positive or negative. The fans must show up to help this team perform to the best of their ability and bring this series back to New York.

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