NBA Pick: Knicks +4.5 (-110) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
Top-rated sportsbooks have released their NBA odds for Game 4 between New York and Philadelphia.
For your best bets, I will recommend investing in the Knicks.
Also, for more of our betting analysis, you can always check out the Cavaliers vs. Magic and Thunder vs. Pelicans games.
New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Sunday, April 28, 2024 – 01:00 PM ET at Wells Fargo Center
Jalen Brunson
New York won Games 1 and 2 despite getting poor performances from its star point guard, Jalen Brunson, in terms of shooting efficiency and distribution.
However, despite being on the road, Brunson figured things out in Game 3. He found holes in Philadelphia’s ball-screen coverage, rejected screens to put his off-ball defender in impossible spots and utilized screens far away from the basket to create downhill momentum for him.
Brunson did so many things that a defense can’t account for. For example, when a screen is set for a player who can shoot threes as Brunson can, his on-ball defender is going to alter his footwork in order to go above the screen. When that ball-handler rejects the screen upon seeing the defender step over the screen, then that defender is lost. What’s a defense supposed to do? Blitz Brunson and make him strictly into a passer?
New York’s Supporting Cast
Brunson, who achieved 13 assists in Game 3, has a lot of good scorers to involve.
The Knicks in Game 3 continued to showcase the depth of their scoring talent with strong games from OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Isaiah Hartenstein.
They lost by eleven despite the duds laid by Donte DiVincenzo and Miles McBride. Both players, though, have made a strong impact in this series and have played well in Philadelphia this season. It would be tremendous for the Knicks if just one of those two players could step up.
Joel Embiid and His Support
Joel Embiid’s 50-point performance propelled Philadelphia to a Game 3 win. He was uncanny from behind the arc, so much so that the Knicks’ defense had to devote more worry than usual to his three-point shooting, which made things easier for Embiid’s teammates.
However, when Embiid has scored 50 points in a game this season, he consistently scores fewer than 40 points in the following game.
While it doesn’t seem like a big deal to say that Embiid will score fewer than 40 points, it is literally the difference in the scoreline – the 76ers won by 11. His 50-point performance masked the poverty of Philadelphia’s inferior supporting cast, as Buddy Hield, Nicolas Batum and Tobias Harris continue to show little value on offense.
With a decline in Kelly Oubre Jr.’s three-point shooting, especially since he has to devote energy to trying to guard Brunson, the 76ers will lean all too heavily on a declined Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
Precious Achiuwa
Mitchell Robinson might not play for the Knicks, as observers saw him wearing a walking boot. But more time for Precious Achiuwa would be a good thing for the Knicks. He has shown remarkable ability on defense both in help and on the ball. Video footage displays his strength when guarding Embiid and his discipline in not falling for Embiid’s shot fakes.
His presence will help limit Embiid’s scoring output. Good one-on-one defense from him will help his teammates ensure that Embiid and Maxey’s supporting cast continues to look much worse than Brunson’s.
Takeaway
Brunson will continue to potentiate the attack, scoring a lot more than he did in Games 1 and 2 and doing a great job of involving his teammates.
New York’s depth of scoring talent will help the Knicks triumph, as Embiid falls back to Earth.
NBA Pick: Knicks +4.5 (-110) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
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