Can New York Finish the Job?

As perhaps the most entertaining series of the First Round heads back to New York for a pivotal Game 5, let’s take a look back at how the Knicks regained control of the series on Sunday. Everything for New York comes down to the smallest player on the floor - the diminutive but impossibly crafty Jalen Brunson. After a disappointing pair of individual performances in the Big Apple, Brunson more than turned it around on the road 👇

• JB found his groove in Philly, showing off the elite scoring touch and ball distribution that’s made him an MVP candidate all season. He also made some history in the process

Brunson is the engine that powers the New York offense, and it was shocking to watch the Knicks win Games 1 and 2 despite his personal struggles. Now that he’s regained his MVP-level form, it’s pretty difficult to see Philly storming back to take this series 🤔

• Just look at the variety of buckets all over the court, from nifty herky-jerky finishes in the paint to smooth pull-up threes — you’re watching a master at work ⭐️

Of course, we can’t forget about the Knicks’ role players, who continue to do all the little things. Much has been made of Tom Thibodeau’s penchant for playing his starters ridiculous amounts of minutes, but we need to sit back and appreciate the level of conditioning this Knicks squad possesses. Josh Hart and OG Anunoby combined for a preposterous 93 minutes and 31 rebounds in Game 3 👀

• While Hart’s scoring fell back to Earth after scoring 20+ in the first three games of the series, his impact remained gargantuan. It feels like he manages to get his hands on every loose ball through sheer force of will 💪

On the Philly side, it’s put-up or shut-up time for a Sixers squad that has squandered some golden opportunities in this series. Joel Embiid has had his moments of dominance while dealing with a variety of ailments — his 50-point performance in Philly’s lone win of the series was a testament to the reigning MVP’s ability 💪

• However, the Knicks found answers for him down the stretch of Game 4, despite missing Mitchell Robinson

• Defensive ace Anunoby and backup big Precious Achiuwa were able to lock Embiid up in the potentially series-defining fourth quarter 👇

3-1 deficits are not fully insurmountable, but the chances of pulling off such a comeback are exceedingly rare. Philly fans have to be monumentally frustrated that their squad faces this hole despite the largely stellar play of Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. We came into this series expecting a dogfight, and the games have looked relatively evenly matched regardless of the series score 🫡

• The Knicks have asserted their advantage, not with overwhelming talent, but with superior hustle and toughness. This New York squad epitomizes all of the clichés of “wanting it more” that we’ve heard a million times from broadcasters and TV pundits

• If they are to get over the hump tonight, it will be this competitive edge that pushes them into Round 2 😤

Sixers vs. Knicks Betting Preview (subject to change)

• Spread: Knicks -4

• Moneyline: Knicks -164, Sixers +138

• Over/Under: 203

Trivia Question: Brunson set the Knicks’ playoff scoring record on Sunday with 47 points. Who held the record before him?

For My Parlay Gurus

While this incredibly entertaining First Round series deserves more than 5 games, I like the Knicks here. Philly has to be somewhat mentally defeated after Sunday’s disastrous fourth quarter, and will already have their sights set on this summer and their massive amounts of cap space to spend. Look for another herculean Brunson performance to power the Knicks’ W 👇

• Knicks -4 vs. Sxiers: -108

• Jalen Brunson OVER 34.5 Points: -102

$100 on this bet would win you $189 — if we hit, make sure you email [email protected] for a chance to win an Overtime hoodie*. Many will enter, only some will win 😉

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Trivia Answer: Bernard King was the previous record-holder, scoring 46 in back-to-back games back in 1984

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