Yesterday’s Results for New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers

VW'S NBA PLAYOFF FIRST-ROUND GAME OF THE YEAR

Analysis: FIRST-ROUND PLAYOFF GAME OF THE YEAR: The Philadelphia 76ers missed a golden opportunity to even their Round 1 series with New York at one game apiece but will take full advantage of home court when they get to return to the City of Brotherly Love for Game 3 tonight. A banged-up Joel Embiid, along with energetic point guard Tyrese Maxey, have done all they can, and then some. It's what's been needed to keep the Sixers’ hopes alive after dropping the first two games by a combined 10 points. Philly will be just fine at home if it can get a little help from at least one of its key role players. Fortunately, Philly has been tough to beat at home of late, winning six of its last seven at the friendly confines of the Wells Fargo Center, where it put up 115.2 points per game this year, the 14th-best home scoring average in the NBA this season. The Knicks accomplished what they wanted in the first two games, but it must be noted their best player, Jalen Brunson, has literally been a shell of himself so far this postseason, shooting a dismal 29.1% from the field and 16.7% from behind the 3-point line. Look for Maxey’s speed to keep Brunson occupied and make him work extra hard on defense, which will allow Philadelphia to begin to get back into this series. The 76ers win and cover as a slight home favorite here, so play accordingly.