Category: NBA

Roob Stats: The 76ers lost again and we've got some demoralizing stats … again originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Here’s the good news. Yes, there is good news.

The 76ers are down three games to none, but five of the seven times in franchise history they’ve been down 3-0 in a seven-game series they’ve won Game 4.

That’s 1969 and 1985 vs. the Celtics, 2000 vs. the Pacers, 2011 vs. the Heat and 2018 vs. the Celtics.

The only times they’ve been swept in a seven-game series are 1999 vs. the Pacers and the 2020 Celtics series.

In 2000, they even won two games against the Pacers before losing that series in six games.

So history says maybe the 76ers won’t get swept. And around here lately that does pass for good news.

With that, on to the stats off Game 3 of the 76ers’ Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Knicks, a 108-94 loss at Xfinity Mobile Arena. The 76ers have now lost four games this postseason by at least 14 points, tying a franchise record. That’s bad news.

Running out of steam in the 4th quarter: After scoring 12 points in the fourth quarter in Game 2, the 76ers scored just 18 in Game 3. The 76ers have played 498 playoff games in franchise history – including their days as the Syracuse Nationals – and they’ve never scored 30 or fewer combined points in consecutive fourth quarters. This is also the first time they’ve scored 18 or fewer points in consecutive postseason fourth quarter in their last 160 playoff games. In 2000, they had back-to-back 17-point fourth quarters in their series against the Charlotte Hornets.

Those 3’s aren’t going so well for Joel: Joel Embiid was 0-for-4 from 3 and is now 3-for-26 from 3-point range in his six playoff games this year. That’s 11.5 percent. Only seven players in NBA history have shot that poorly from 3-point range in a single postseason (minimum 20 attempts). The only 76er to shoot worse in a single postseason is Charles Barkley, who made two of 20 3’s in 1990-91 for 10 percent. In his career, Embiid is now 68-for-251 from 3 in the playoffs for 27.1 percent. That’s 5th-worst in NBA history among 197 players who’ve taken at least 200 career postseason 3’s. In the last 20 years, only Giannis Antetokounmpo is worse than Embiid at 25.9 percent.

Can’t stop Brunson: With 33 points Friday night, Jalen Brunson now has scored 25 or more points in seven consecutive playoff games against the 76ers, the longest streak of consecutive 25-point games against the 76ers in the playoffs in 35 years, since Michael Jordan did it in 10 games in a row. Only Wilt Chamberlain and Jordan have scored more points in any seven-game span vs. the 76ers than Brunson’s 261 in his last seven games.

Running out of steam: In the first quarter, Paul George made six of nine field goal attempts and three of four 3’s in 10 minutes, scoring 15 points. He played 28 more minutes and went 0-for-9 from the field and 0-for-5 from 3 and didn’t score. He’s the first player in 76ers history to score 15 points in a postseason first quarter and not score again. The fewest points in a game by a 76er who had 15 in the first quarter is 20 by Allen Iverson in Boston in Game 1 of their 2002 Eastern Conference First-Round series. He scored 15 in the first quarter and five the rest of the game.

We need more from No. 0: Tyrese Maxey is minus-39 so far in the Knicks series. Maxey was minus-28 in Game 1, plus-zero in Game 2 and minus-11 in Game 3. This is the worst three-game plus-minus span of his postseason career. His previous worst was minus-36 in Games 4, 5 and 6 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Heat in 2022.

Knicks lighting it up: The Knicks have shot 63 percent, 51 percent and 50 percent from the field in these three games. This is the first time in 21 years the 76ers have allowed a team to shot 50 percent or better in three straight playoff games and only the second time ever a team has made 50 percent of its shots against the 76ers in the first three games of any series. In 1984 the Nets did it in their Eastern Conference First-Round series, and in 2005 the Pistons made 50 percent of their shots in the first three games of their Eastern Conference First-Round series. The Knicks have shot 50 percent or better in a franchise-record five straight games going back to their Atlanta series. There’s only been one longer streak since 1986, and that was the Suns’ eight-gamer streak in 2022.

Joel Embiid pleaded with 76ers fans to keep their home playoff tickets against the Knicks.

One diehard 76ers fan named Matt, as uncovered by the Philadelphia Inquirer, is taking extreme measures to keep Knicks fans from making Xfinity Mobile Arena a de facto Madison Square Garden South, or at least make New Yorkers pay more.

His plan?

Get Sixers fans to buy fully refundable Amtrak tickets ahead of Sunday’s Game 4 before canceling the train trip shortly before the 3:30 p.m. ET tip-off in order to increase the prices for New Yorkers. According to the Inquirer, he posted his idea to Reddit on r/Sixers to get fans to join in on his ploy.

For curious Knicks fans, the estimated cost — as per a search conducted by The Post on the Amtrak website on Friday evening — is just shy of $300 for a round-trip ticket.

But compared to the $500-plus tickets for potential Games 5 and 7 at the Garden — according to the resaler TickPick — New Yorkers who want to trek to Philly won’t be breaking the bank for game tickets, or at least have to give an arm and a leg, comparatively.

TickPick has prices as low as $159 for Friday night’s Game 3 and $170 for Game 4. As The Post’s Zach Braziller reported as of Thursday night, 59 percent of tickets sold on TickPick for Game 3 came from accounts linked from New York and New Jersey.

Embiid, after the 76ers beat the Celtics in the first round, wanted to make sure Philly fans were doing their part to make Xfinity feel like a home.

Because in 2024, when the Knicks beat the Sixers in the first round, New Yorkers were loud and made their presence felt in the City of Brotherly Love.

“Last time we played the Knicks, it felt like [Philadelphia] was Madison Square Garden East. We’re going to need the support,” Embiid said then. “Don’t sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you guys.

“Knicks fans travel, they buy tickets. There’s going to be people who will sell the tickets because they need the money. Don’t do it, we need you guys. We need the support, and we need them to be extremely loud. If you need money, I’ve got you.”

The “war” between the two cities has even transferred to other spaces, as a few New York eateries have rebranded Philly Cheesesteaks with different names for the duration of the playoff series.

And though the 76ers are down 2-0 in the series, Philadelphia scored a win this week when members of The Post picked cheesesteak over New York’s chopped cheese in a taste test.

Here are the NBA playoff games for Friday, May 8, 2026:

• New York Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers — 7 p.m. ET (Prime Video)  
• San Antonio Spurs at Minnesota Timberwolves — 9:30 p.m. ET (Prime Video)  

In addition, the Washington Mystics are playing tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET on ion when they take on the Toronto Tempo. Enjoy the basketball tonight!

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid returned to the Philadelphia 76ers' lineup for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Friday night after he missed the previous game against the New York Knicks with a sprained right ankle and a sore right hip.

Embiid struggled through a short night in the Knicks’ 137-98 romp in Game 1, scoring 14 points on 3-for-11 shooting before the starters were benched with the game out of reach.

Embiid had been listed as probable to play in that game and the Knicks repeatedly took advantage of his lack of mobility to create open shots.

He had been expected to play Game 2 but was ruled out hours beforehand.

Embiid had an appendectomy late in the regular season. He returned during Game 4 of Philadelphia’s first-round series against Boston and helped the 76ers overcome a 3-1 deficit to eliminate the Celtics.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Ready for a curveball?

The latest NBA Mock Draft from Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor not only has Malachi Moreno going in the first round, but even ahead of Jayden Quaintance.

Yes, this projection has Moreno going 24th overall to the New York Knicks, while Quaintance goes 29th to the Cleveland Cavaliers, nearly falling out of the first round altogether.

This would be both a shocking rise for Moreno and a stunning fall for Quaintance, though perhaps an earned one for the latter after he missed most of this past season due to the longest case of knee swelling ever recorded (we think).

I don’t agree with this projection, but if it turns out that this is how NBA executives view Moreno and Quaintance, you’d think there’s actually a chance Moreno stays in the draft and Quaintance returns to college.

The real story here is these recent mock drafts and rankings continue to suggest there’s a very real chance Moreno could hear his name called toward the end of Round 1. Could that be enough to sway him into keeping his name in the draft?

Next week’s NBA Draft Combine in Chicago could go a long way in deciding where Moreno is playing basketball next season.

Elsewhere, Iowa State transfer and Kentucky recruiting target Milan Momcilovic went 46th overall to the Phoenix Suns. While Momcilovic reportedly prefers to stay in the draft, if that’s the kind of projection he’s getting from NBA decision-makers, then it’s hard not to see him returning to college and collecting an NIL paycheck that could cross $5 million.

Saying this, it only takes one team to fall in love with you, and with Momcilovic’s ability to shoot scorched earth from deep, it won’t be a surprise if someone in the first round will take the gamble on him.

Also, there’s likely going to be a host of players ranked ahead of Momcilovic who return to school, including Andrej Stojaković, Matt Able, Billy Richmond, Flory Bidunga, Rueben Chinyelu, Tyler Tanner, and potentially Moreno.

It’s going to be a process, one that I’d now expect to go into deadline day on May 27 for Moreno and Momcilovic (and Quaintance if his stock really is this bad right now).

Finally, new UK graduate Otega Oweh hears his name called at pick No. 59 to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the second-to-last pick of the draft. There haven’t been a lot of mock drafts with Oweh being drafted, so this is nice to see for a guy who’s undoubtedly been the MVP of the Mark Pope era thus far in Lexington (and I selfishly hope we get to see him again playing for La Familia one day).

Be sure to check out the full projection here!

Tonight, the Knicks (2-0) visit the Philadelphia 76ers (0-2) at Xfinity Mobile Arena for Game Three of the Eastern Conference semifinals. It’s a chance for New York to take a commanding 3-0 lead on the road, but it won’t come easy. Although ESPN.com etting sites peg the Sixers as slight favorites at home. That’s mainly because the hosts will get Joel Embiid back, while the guests may be without OG Anunoby (hammy) and Josh Hart (bum thumb).

Game time is at 7 p.m. EST on Prime Video. This is your game thread. This is Liberty Ballers. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Show those Philly fans what good behavior looks like. And go Knicks!

The New York Knicks will be without star forward OG Anunoby for Game 3 of their series against the Philadelphia 76ers with a hamstring strain.

The news comes after Anunoby scored 24 points in a 108-102 win in Game 2 at Madison Square Garden.

Anunoby has been a key factor in the series so far for the Knicks, so not having him in the first road game against Philly could hurt their chances of taking a commanding 3-0 series lead.

With Anunoby on the sidelines, there is a good chance the Knicks will go with Miles McBride in the starting lineup as he had the most minutes off the bench in Game 2 with 21.

For the Sixers, they might also be dealing with some injuries of their own. All-Star center Joel Embiid missed Game 2 with a litany of injuries and is deemed questionable for Game 3 against the Knicks. If he were to play, it might benefit the Knicks to give Mitchell Robinson more minutes and slide Karl-Anthony Towns to the power forward slot in placement of Anunoby.

Ultimately, regardless of who the Sixers trot out on the court, the Knicks have to focus on how they execute their game plan. They had a good idea going into the game that Anunoby might not be available, so they have to respond accordingly and try to pull out a win despite the tough circumstances.

P&T Community, what do you think of the news regarding Anunoby? Chime off in the comments section below.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — OG Anunoby was ruled out for Game 3 on Friday night with a strained right hamstring, but the New York Knicks forward appears to have avoided a serious injury and remained day to day in the second-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Anunoby was injured late in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, in which he scored 24 points.

The Knicks hold a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Anunoby was having another strong game Wednesday before appearing to suffer a leg injury and motioning to come out of the game. He went to the locker room area and did not return to the bench before the end of the Knicks’ 108-102 victory.

Anunoby is averaging 21.4 points per game in the postseason while shooting 61.9% from the field and 53.8% from 3-point range.

The 6-foot-7 Anunoby, who is considered the Knicks’ top defender, injured his hamstring two years ago in the second round as the Knicks were taking a 2-0 lead over Indiana. He missed the next four games and played just a few minutes in Game 7 as the Pacers rallied to win the series.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Defiant Knicks fans flooded into enemy territory Friday night for Game 3 against the Philadelphia 76ers — in a swift rejection of Joel Embiid after the Philly star whined that New York’s faithful are not welcome in the City of Brotherly Love.

Dozens of diehards traveled down the Turnpike by chartered bus to Xfinity Mobile Arena in a bid to “really piss Philly fans off” as the Knicks look to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

“We’re gonna fill the place up with as many Knicks fans as possible,” vowed Vincent Puleo, co-owner of Big Knick Energy, which helped organize the bus trip.

“Trying to send the message: don’t try to ban New Yorkers from anything!” he warned, adding he wants to “really piss Philly fans off.”

Puleo’s threats come after Embiid — the 76ers’ oft-injured superstar center — groused Saturday about the last time the two teams locked horns in the NBA playoffs in 2024, when Knicks fanatics flooded Philly and made it feel like “[Philadelphia] was Madison Square Garden East.”

He then pleaded with Sixers fans not to sell their Friday night tix to Knicks fans, crying, “This is bigger than you. We need you guys.”

Puleo insisted Friday he took Embiid’s whining “as a personal invite.”

“We weren’t gonna go until Embiid said something,” he admitted.  

Fans riding the bus also blasted the Philly bigman — as their arrival behind enemy lines neared.

“Forget Embiid. Embiid could say whatever he wants. Embiid could tell us, ‘don’t sell the tickets to the Knicks fans.’ We’re taking over,” Huntington resident Justin Almonte, 25, slammed.

“We’re going to take over Philly. This is home field advantage for our team in a different state. I hope we catch a W.”

Hudson Perl, of Livingston, New Jersey, said Embiid’s plea “just shows how … sorry a fan base” the 76ers have.

“Like you should not be saying to people, ‘don’t sell your tickets.’ Your fans should be there automatically,” griped the 19-year-old, who flew to Atlanta for the Knicks clincher against the Hawks in the opening round of the playoffs.  

The Jalen Brunson-led Knicks toppled the Hawks in six games before controlling the first two games against the 76ers at MSG — leaving the Big Apple buzzing with hope of the organization’s first championship since 1973. 

Embiid, meanwhile, was listed as questionable for Friday night’s pivotal matchup, but 76ers head coach Nick Nurse said pregame he thinks his center “is gonna give it a shot.”

The bus trip from Big Knick Energy, which is also run by Angelo Pellegrino and Leros Transportation Group, charged fans $75 for a round trip to Philly for Game 3 and is also offering the shuttle for Sunday’s Game 4.

“I think we’re gonna go in and we’re gonna overtake Philly,” declared Dix Hills resident Jake Bornstein.

“We’re gonna mess with the Philly fans. It’s gonna be hella fun.”

Tipoff for Game 3 is slated for 7 p.m.

The NBA draft lottery takes place on Sunday, when the Golden State Warriors will learn whether their 2% chance at the No. 1 pick pays off and which pick they’ll be offering to the Houston Rockets this summer in a rejected trade offer for Kevin Durant. It all depends on the combination of ping-pong balls drawn in a closed room, where the Warriors will send legendary public relations man Raymond Ridder to observe.

That’s how the NBA ensures fairness, or if you’re a conspiracy theorist, where Adam Silver gets all 14 officials to agree to give the No. 1 overall pick to whoever most recently helped the Los Angeles Lakers and then never tell a soul. But the real stars are the on-stage representatives, who appear on camera and help bring luck — or awful, franchise-ruining disappointment — to their teams.

Here’s a ranking, from worst to first, of the 14 different legends, team officials, active players, and owner’s children attending the big lottery draw.

14. Scott Perry, Sacramento Kings

Perhaps Perry feels the need to show his face at the draft lottery after one season at the helm of the Kings, one where he traded last year’s Kings lottery rep, Keon Ellis, along with his big free-agent signing, Dennis Schroder. But does he have to remind the poor Sacramento fans that the man who previously used lottery picks on Elfrid Payton, Mario Hezonja, Frank Ntilkina, and Kevin Knox is in charge of their draft? At least he’s not a blood relative of Vivek Ranadive.

13. Larry Harris, Golden State Warriors

Did the Warriors reward a longtime scout and executive with a place in the spotlight? Or did no one more exciting than Del Harris’ son volunteer to go to Chicago for the event?

12. Tayshaun Prince, Memphis Grizzlies

Prince is the Memphis Grizzlies’ vice president of player affairs, but he’s primarily associated with the glory days of the Detroit Pistons, not the 139 games he played for the Grizzlies. This also feels like a situation where other executives weren’t interested in the task and Prince drew the assignment. Was Tony Allen busy?

11. Mallory Edens, Milwaukee Bucks

Edens is a social media influencer who rose to fame at age 18 when she represented the Bucks at the 2014 lottery draw and the internet got inappropriately horny about a girl who hadn’t graduated from high school yet. Bill Simmons said, “The Cavs won the lottery and Mallory Edens won the Internet,” which Jerry Seinfeld would probably agree with.

Guy watching the NBA Draft Lottery be like…I'd take Mallory Edens with the #1 pick! #NBADraftLotterypic.twitter.com/EeRnMAXtRr

— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) May 21, 2014

Gross! Anyway, Doc Rivers got fired and Giannis Antetokounmpo is getting traded, so the Bucks might as well send the daughter of their billionaire owner to the lottery. Edens is a film producer and — allegedly — the ex-girlfriend of Aaron Rodgers, so expect her to do her own research instead of accepting the NBA’s so-called “lottery odds.”

10. Nick Collison, Oklahoma City Thunder

There’s no one who could make the Oklahoma City Thunder sympathetic in the lottery draw for a draft that might take place a week after they win their second straight title. Collison is as good a choice as any, a veteran who spent all 15 years of his career with the Thunder and became the first player to get his jersey retired in OKC. Plus, he’s used to taking a pounding in the low block so if observers start throwing things at him when the Thunder jump into the top three, Collison can take it.

9. Vince Carter, Brooklyn Nets

No shade to Vinsanity, who was great in his time with the Nets, but are the Nets really the team you’d associate with Carter? Then again, the Nets are woefully short on franchise legends, since most of their greatest players spent more time with other teams, like Jason Kidd or Derrick Coleman, or reached greater heights elsewhere, like Brook Lopez or Julius Erving. Maybe they can call on Kerry Kittles the next time they’re in the lottery.

8. Onsi Saleh, Atlanta Hawks

Is sending the general manager of your team a little boring? Usually yes, but Saleh deserves a chance to be in the TV spotlight as a reward for pulling off the heist that got the Hawks into this room in the first place — swapping last year’s No. 13 pick to the New Orleans Pelicans for the No. 23 pick and this year’s Pelicans first-rounder. Now they have a 29.3% chance at a top-four pick and a 6.8% chance at No. 1.

Saleh also landed a promising young forward named Jonathan Kuminga who has inspired very little discussion among our commenters in the past few seasons.

7. Rolando Blackman, Dallas Mavericks

Trotting out Cooper Flagg, last year’s No. 1 pick, isn’t going to get any sympathy for the lottery gods, to whom the Mavericks sacrificed former general manager Nico Harrison early last season. Instead, they’re using Blackman, a four-time All-Star and former Mavericks assistant coach — who just happened to be their rep at the Flagg lottery last year.

6. Alonzo Mourning, Miami Heat

‘Zo is a legend in South Beach, winning a title in 2006 and two Defensive Player of the Year awards. For younger fans, Mourning is the subject of one of the world’s greatest GIF’s, where the veteran goes through a full gamut of emotions while seated on the bench. Imagine his reaction if the Heat get lucky!

5. Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets

Choosing a promising young player to attend the draft generally has good vibes. It feels like the hypothetical lottery pick is being welcomed early. Knueppel is a strong choice because he finished second in the Rookie of the Year and unlike 60% of the Hornets starting lineup, he doesn’t have legal issues regarding domestic violence, reckless driving, or being an accessory to murder.

4. Keyonte George, Utah Jazz

George is another good-vibes pick, especially since he’s the biggest draft success story so far in the Jazz’s multi-season tanking odyssey. He outranks Knueppel because he’s had to go through more misery by enduring three seasons on the Jazz. Knueppel only knows the Hornets as a playoff team!

3. Toni Kukoc, Chicago Bulls

Kukoc has a non-specific front office role as a “special adviser to the team president and CEO,” but his real role is “Member of the 1996-98 Bulls.” It’s a strong selection and more exciting than the rep the last time the Bulls won the draft lottery in 2008: Bulls executive vice president of marketing/broadcasting Steve Schanwald, who was called ‘Stan” during the telecast.

2. TJ McConnell, Indiana Pacers

McConnell could be a controversial choice as a draft lottery guy, because he wasn’t drafted coming out of college. However, that’s also the case with Ben Wallace, the only modern-day undrafted NBA player to make the Basketball Hall of Fame, and he was the Detroit Pistons representative in 2021 when they won the lottery and landed Cade Cunningham. The basketball gods reward hard work and hustle!

1. John Wall, Washington Wizards

Wall may be the biggest bright spot for the Wizards since Wes Unseld retired 45 years ago. That says a lot about the franchise, but Wall was a tremendously exciting, five-time All-Star whose career was derailed by a freak injury (He slipped and ruptured his Achilles tendon while recovering from Achilles surgery). He was also the No. 1 pick in the 2010 draft, making him the perfect Wizard rep. Plus, if they sent Anthony Davis or Trae Young, they’d probably get hurt climbing into their seats.

The Dallas Mavericks are turning to an Arizona alum to take over their franchise.

The Mavericks on Friday announced the hiring of Mike Schmitz as general manager ahead of next month’s NBA Draft. Schmitz spent the last four seasons on the Portland Trail Blazers staff after serving as a draft analyst for ESPN.

Schmitz attended the University of Arizona from 2009-12, where he covered UA athletics for the Daily Wildcat. Schmitz’s Arizona basketball beat helped showcase his eye for identifying talent, according to a 2018 profile in the Daily Wildcat.

We have hired Mike Schmitz as our General Manager. @Chime // #MFFLpic.twitter.com/uZBxpQ1vlM

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) May 8, 2026

Schmitz worked for Yahoo Sports and Draft Express before joining ESPN. He worked for the Worldwide Leader for five years, then transitioned to a front office role in Portland. He most recently served as the Trail Blazers’ assistant GM.

“Mike is one of the most respected evaluators and basketball minds in the NBA,” said Dallas president Masai Ujiri. “He brings intelligence, discipline, humility and a relentless work ethic to everything he does.”

Schmitz takes over a Mavericks franchise that a year ago won the NBA Draft Lottery, earning the rights to the No. 1 pick, which they used on Duke standout Cooper Flagg. Dallas went 26-56 this season and holds a 29% chance at receiving a top-four pick in this Sunday’s Draft Lottery.

Dallas is more likely to receive a mid-lottery pick, and some mock drafts have linked the Mavericks to Arizona guard Brayden Burries.

Greetings, Panthers fans. Welcome to your weekend.

Feel free to use this thread to chat about (almost) anything you want: video games, food, movies, non-football sports, you name it. As long as it’s allowed by the sites ToS, it’s fair game here.

You know the drill.

Observations after Sixers slide to 3-0 series deficit with home loss to Knicks originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers now face an even bleaker picture than they did after falling behind 3-1 in their first-round playoff series with the Celtics.

They suffered a 108-94 loss Friday night to the Knicks at Xfinity Mobile Arena, sliding to a 3-0 deficit in their second-round series. No NBA team has ever won a series after trailing 3-0. 

Knicks star Jalen Brunson tallied 33 points and nine assists. Mikal Bridges added 23 points.

Kelly Oubre Jr. scored a playoff career-high 22 points for the Sixers and grabbed eight rebounds. 

Joel Embiid returned after missing Game 2 with right ankle and right hip injuries. He had 18 points, six assists and five rebounds. Tyrese Maxey posted 17 points on 8-for-12 shooting and seven assists.

OG Anunoby (right hamstring strain) sat out Game 3 for New York. His status is considered day-to-day, Knicks head coach Mike Brown said pregame.

Game 4 will be Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET.  Here are observations on the Sixers’ Game 3 loss:

Cooking with home court early

Miles McBride replaced Anunoby in New York’s starting lineup. The Sixers resumed business as usual with Embiid as their starting center.

Embiid dished out two early assists to George and the Sixers surged to a quick 9-0 lead. 

Though there was a vocal contingent of Knicks fans in the building, the Sixers certainly felt the home crowd behind them for the first time this series. Brown called timeout after two straight Maxey-to-VJ Edgecombe alley-oops. 

George nailed his third triple of the first quarter to put the Sixers up 23-12. He had another excellent, sweet-shooting start, scoring 15 points on 6-for-9 shooting in the first quarter. 

The 36-year-old is up to 34 made threes in the playoffs, which is the most of any player. He cooled off badly Friday, scoring zero points after the first quarter, but George has mostly been what the Sixers envisioned as a consistent, efficient two-way wing next to Embiid and Maxey.

All Knicks on boards, off bench in first half

Brunson started 0 for 4 from the floor. Karl-Anthony Towns was sidelined by foul trouble for much of the first half. 

The Sixers were still unable to extend their lead. Former Sixers guard Landry Shamet made a major impact off of New York’s bench, posting nine first-half points. Shamet leaked out for a dunk early in the second quarter to tie the game at 33-all. The Knicks went on top with a second-chance Jose Alvarado jumper. 

New York built its lead largely through exploiting two Sixers weaknesses that have popped up often this season — poor defensive rebounding and lack of quality depth. The Knicks posted 13 of the night’s 15 second-chance points. They had a 16-0 halftime advantage in bench scoring, too. 

Sixers head coach Nick Nurse played a nine-man rotation. Quentin Grimes remained the team’s sixth man, Andre Drummond and Adem Bona both got brief shifts at backup center, and Dominick Barlow stayed in the rotation. The Sixers continued to rely heavily on their starters and no second-unit player fared particularly well in the first half. 

Oubre’s buzzer-beating three dropped in to cut the Sixers’ deficit to 60-52 at halftime. 

Knicks have no problem sealing the deal  

Embiid was obviously not at optimal health. Both his mobility and his leaping looked to be limited, although he did have explosive moments here and there.  

The Sixers had stretches where they assigned Embiid to Josh Hart and essentially used him as a defensive roamer. On the other end, Embiid was upset about multiple no-calls and only managed eight points in the first half on 3-for-7 shooting. 

Oubre helped the Sixers stay within striking distance and Towns picked up his fourth foul with 6:27 left in the third quarter. Oubre sunk a corner three and Embiid spiked Josh Hart’s shot inside during a third-quarter Sixers run. Embiid’s second-chance layup trimmed New York’s lead to 78-76.

As they had in Game 1, the Sixers intentionally fouled Knicks big man Mitchell Robinson, sending him to the line late in the third quarter. Robinson went 3 for 4 on the foul shots generated by the Sixers’ hacking, although he did later have an 0-for-2 trip.

The Sixers’ offense missed some good looks in the final minutes of the third quarter and the Knicks made them pay. After Grimes air balled a three long and George’s jumper hit the front rim, Shamet drilled a triple with 7.1 seconds left in the third to give the Knicks an 88-79 edge.

Grimes scored the Sixers’ first bench points with a three-ball early in the fourth quarter. He canned another to pull the Sixers within four points and prompt a New York timeout.

The Knicks regained control and the Sixers continued with a George-Barlow frontcourt until Embiid subbed back in with 6:05 left in the game. Brunson scored in transition seconds after Embiid entered and the Sixers’ deficit grew to 99-86.

While the Sixers have had promising patches in the last two games, the bottom line is the Knicks have been the better, deeper team and the series scoreline reflects that. Once more, the Sixers will stare down an elimination game Sunday. 

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The Cleveland Cavaliers return home for Game 3, facing a massive hole after dropping the first two games of the series in Detroit. With no NBA team ever coming back from a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series, urgency should be at an all-time high for Cleveland on Friday night.

These Pistons vs. Cavaliers predictions are built around a bounce-back performance from James Harden and a Cavaliers team that has been dominant on its home floor throughout the playoffs.

Our best Pistons vs Cavaliers SGP for Game 3

SGP leg #1: James Harden Over 18.5 points

James Harden has been far more aggressive offensively at home, and Cleveland desperately needs that scoring punch with its season threatening to spiral. Detroit has struggled to contain downhill guards in this series, and Harden’s usage should spike in a must-win environment. Expect Cleveland to lean heavily on its stars early and often.

SGP leg #2: James Harden Over 6.5 assists

James Harden has been far more aggressive offensively at home, and Cleveland desperately needs that scoring punch with its season threatening to spiral. Detroit has struggled to contain downhill guards in this series, and Harden’s usage should spike in a must-win environment. Expect Cleveland to lean heavily on its stars early and often.

SGP leg #3: Cavaliers 4.5

The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in five straight road games, but they're 4-1 ATS across their last five at home. Cleveland will be playing with a major sense of urgency, looking to avoid a 3-0 hole that has never been overcome in playoff history. I expect Harden to be better, and the combination of him and Donovan Mitchell will be too much for Detroit to contain.

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See our full Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 3 preview

Get Zak Hanshew's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Pistons vs Cavaliers predictions for Game 3.

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PHILADELPHIA — Game 3 was too soon for OG Anunoby.

Despite the Knicks’ optimism that his injury is minor, Anunoby was out for their clash against the 76ers Friday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena. He had been listed as questionable heading into the game.

Anunoby suffered a right hamstring strain during the Knicks’ 108-102 Game 2 win on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden. But imaging revealed that it is a “very minor” strain, The Post’s Stefan Bondy reported, and he is truly considered day-to-day with confidence he should not miss much time.

The Knicks had to play at least one game without him, however. Miles McBride was elevated into the starting lineup in his place.

“Obviously things change a little bit,” Josh Hart said before Game 3. “He’s a great defensive player. So it just means guys that are playing are going to have to step up, cover for each other.”

The Knicks would not elaborate on whether Anunoby is able to run or what he is actually able to do on the court.

“We just have to go out and try to do our job, whatever our job is,” coach Mike Brown said before Game 3. “Nobody has to do anything extraordinary. Defensively and offensively, it’s the same with OG being out. It’s going to be a collective effort for everybody to step up. You always talk about next man up, that’s what it is during this time of the year or the regular season.”

Anunoby appeared to suffer the injury while driving to the basket during the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s game. He began visibly limping, but remained in the game for a few plays and even attempted a dunk — though he was blocked. He asked for a sub and came out with 2:31 left in the game, went to the locker room and did not return.

He has arguably been the Knicks’ most consistent player this postseason — he is averaging 20.3 points on stellar 61.9 percent shooting from the field and 53.8 percent shooting from 3-point range. His defense — on Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu in the first round against the Hawks and primarily Paul George in this second-round series against the 76ers — has been superb.

Anunoby’s absence left a major hole to fill.

“OG’s been unbelievable,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said before Game 3. “He’s been amazing both in the Atlanta series and in this series. He has been as good as I’ve ever seen him. He just keeps getting better and better, it’s a testament to him to continue to just keep playing. He guards every position. His shooting’s been great, now he’s even, his cutting game is great. Once he dribbles inside the line, you used to kind of think ‘let’s force him inside the line and who knows what’s going to happen.’ Now he’s dunking on people and hitting that 17-footer. He’s been doing everything at a super high level. … I’m a big fan of OG’s.”