The New York Knicks enter Game 4 holding a commanding 3-0 series lead, and they have a golden opportunity to sweep the Philadelphia 76ers out of the playoffs entirely.
With momentum firmly on their side, expect another disciplined, physical performance from New York, but the Sixers won’t go down without a fight.
Here’s what we predict will unfold at the Wells Fargo Center tonight.
Brunson Goes Off, KAT Dominates the Paint
GettyBrunson Takes Over, KAT Makes His Presence Felt
Jalen Brunson has been the engine of this Knicks offense all playoffs long, and Game 4 will be no different. Brunson has consistently outperformed his projections against Philly, and tonight looks like the night he erupts for 30+ points, pushing the dagger into any Sixers’ comeback hopes and reminding the world why he’s one of the league’s elite clutch performers.
With OG Anunoby listed as questionable due to a right hamstring strain, and having already missed Game 3, there is a very strong probability he sits out again tonight.
That puts even more offensive pressure on Karl-Anthony Towns, and KAT looks primed to answer the bell. The big man has already demonstrated his dominance this postseason, and a double-double tonight feels like a near-certainty. Expect double-digit points and rebounds as he stretches the Sixers’ defense and owns the glass.
The Bench Steps Up, Shamet Heats Up From Deep
GettyShamet’s Hot Hand Could Be the Series Closer
The Knicks’ bench has and continues to become a powerful weapon for them in this series, so Game 4 should be no exception. OG is probably going to be out, and the starters are likely to be limited by foul trouble in 48 crucial minutes, so the bench unit will indeed have its time, and Landry Shamet will make sure that he gives his best.
It is likely that he will get his opportunities on the break and in catch-and-shoot situations, knocking down two or three big threes that will put the Knicks’ lead at a comfortable level going into the third quarter.
Mikal Bridges Shuts the Door on Tyrese Maxey
Bridges Turns Maxey Into a Non-Factor
Tyrese Maxey is the best weapon Philly has on the court and realistically, the only way the Sixers can change the tide of this series.
If Maxey hits the rhythm, the Sixers have a chance to steal this game, which is basically the reason Mikal Bridges has a pretty tough role on the floor tonight.
In this series, Bridges has shown incredible basketball IQ, and his 7-foot-2 wingspan have greatly helped him to mess up Maxey’s flow and make sure that the latter sees hardly any clean looks.
With Bridges locking Maxey under 20 points and forcing him into tough, contested pull-ups. The Sixers’ offense will stall, and the Knicks will close out in four.
Bridges won’t just play defense tonight; expect him to chip in offensively and remind everyone that he is one of the most complete two-way players in basketball.
Final Prediction: Knicks 112, Sixers 103
Knicks vs. Sixers Game 4 Predictions: New York Eliminates the 76ers