Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers, right, is defended by Isaiah Hartenstein of the New York Knicks during the first half of Game 2 in a first-round NBA basketball playoff series on Monday, April 22, 2024 , in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid and the 76ers had just lost two straight playoff games in New York, which left them feeling — well, like their playoff series against the Knicks was far from over.
“We’re going to win this series,” Embiid said.
A bold statement from last season's NBA MVP, for sure. It's something the Sixers — and Orlando and the Lakers — must believe is possible, with all three teams facing 2-0 deficits heading into a trio of Game 3s on Thursday in the NBA playoffs.
READ: NBA: 76ers to file referee protest in Game 2 loss to Knicks
All three teams are heading home, a much-needed confidence boost with their seasons on the line. No NBA team has ever won a playoff series after going down 3-0. The Knicks, Cleveland and Denver are looking to get closer to a first-round win on the road.
The Cavaliers led from start to finish in both games inside Cleveland's boisterous Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, where the deafening noise from the crowd may have had something to do with the Magic's lack of any shooting touch.
Orlando was terrible from the field in Games 1 and 2, shooting 34.3% and making just 17 of 65 3-point shots (26.1%). Even worse, the Magic, who entered the playoffs with the worst offense statistically of any team on the field, are missing open, uncontested shots.
READ: NBA: Knicks make wild comeback to surprise 76ers with 2-0 lead
Being back at home will help, and Cavs coach JB Bickerstaff expects the Magic to increase their physicality.
“They will be a different team at home,” he said. “They were all year (29-12). Being a younger team but being able to play in front of your home crowd gives you the confidence that you can.”
The Lakers haven't played at home since April 9, playing five straight games on the road that included the play-in tournament and two playoff games in Denver.
“It feels like forever since we’ve played here,” Lakers star LeBron James said. “I hope (fans) are excited because we’re looking forward to it.”
KNICKS at 76ERS
New York leads 2-0. Game 3, 7:30 p.m. EDT, TNT
– NEED TO KNOW: The Knicks played like a team headed for a sweep in the first two games in New York. The Nova Knicks — former Villanova Wildcats Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo — can expect an unhappy homecoming crowd in Game 3. There are banners from the 2016 and 2018 national championships in the rafters of the Wells Fargo Center. The trio has been fantastic in their efforts to raise a flag at Madison Square Garden. Brunson finished with 24 points despite shooting 8-for-29 from the field. Hart had 21 points and 15 rebounds, and DiVincenzo scored 19 points in Game 2.
– KEEP AN EYE ON: Arbitration. In its Last 2 Minutes report, the NBA said 76ers coach Nick Nurse twice attempted to call timeouts that were “neither recognized nor granted by the referees” during the decisive possession of Game 2. The NBA also ruled that Tyrese Maxey picked up two fouls before his comeback, which led to DiVincenzo's go-ahead 3-pointer in the Knicks' 104-101 victory in Game 2. Embiid used an expletive after the game, saying the officiating had been unacceptable. for missing the timeout attempt and the foul.
– INJURY WATCH: Sixers guard De'Anthony Melton could return in Game 3 after missing most of the second half of the season with a back injury. Melton averaged 11.1 points and was a key contributor early in the year. Melton practiced on Wednesday and said his body responded well to getting up and down the court.
— PRESSURE IS ON: It's on Embiid and the 76ers. The Sixers have a 25-16 record at home this season, so that could help. But they gave up down the stretch at home in a Game 6 loss to Boston in the Eastern Conference semifinals and then lost Game 7 on the road. The Sixers could also start packing their lockers if they lose Game 3.
KNIGHTS IN MAGIC
Cleveland leads 2-0. Game 3, 7 p.m. EDT, NBA TV/fubo
– NEED TO KNOW: The Cavaliers played particularly well, which is a good sign they will improve or scary if they advance. Cleveland is 15-0 when leading a 2-0 series. Last year's painful first-round elimination against New York continues to be a driving force. The Magic are playing a playoff game in their home arena for the first time since April 21, 2019 – and will be looking for their first home playoff win since April 26, 2011. Orlando reached the playoffs in 2020, the year the season ended without fans at the Disney complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. It's on the outskirts of Orlando, but it's not the team's real home arena.
— KEEP AN EYE OUT: The Wagner brothers. Orlando's toughness starts with Franz and Moritz, who play hard and often at the limits of what could be considered dirty. They set the tone for the Magic and will undoubtedly look for a way to cheer up their teammates and the home fans.
– INJURY WATCH: Magic guard Jalen Suggs returned to play in the second half of Game 2 despite suffering what appeared to be a serious left knee injury. Suggs is Orlando's best defender and the Magic can't be without him.
— THE PRESSURE IS ON: Paolo Banchero, from Orlando. If the Magic want to get back into the series, Banchero, who is averaging 22.5 points but 7.5 turnovers in two games, has to take his game to another level. The Cavs' interior size is bothering the second-year forward, who is experiencing for the first time how different things are in the postseason.
NUGGETS at LAKERS
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) calls a play against Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (50) during the second half of Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series on Monday, 22 April 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver leads 2-0. Game 3, 10 p.m. EDT, TNT
– NEED TO KNOW: Jamal Murray missed 15 of his first 20 shots and Denver fell behind by 20 in Game 2 to the Lakers. But there's a reason the Nuggets are the defending champions. Murray got hot – and so did Denver. He shot 6 of 8 for 14 points in the fourth quarter and made a 15-foot step-back over Anthony Davis at the buzzer for a 101-99 victory.
— KEEP AN EYE OUT: Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves. Two key members of the Lakers' supporting cast were completely ineffective in the series. Hachimura scored 10 points in total and, inexplicably, made just 11 shots in 69 minutes of play, while Reaves scored just 18 points in two quiet games. With almost no help from two starters who should be doing more, the Lakers have been unable to keep up with Denver's more balanced attack.
READ: Jokic leads Nuggets over LeBron and Lakers in NBA playoff opener
– INJURY WATCH: Lakers swingman Jarred Vanderbilt expects to play in Game 3 after sitting out since Feb. 1 with a sprained right foot. Although he contributes little on offense, Vanderbilt's defensive intensity could help the Lakers' attempts to slow down Jamal Murray, who scored 22 points in Game 1 and hit the game-winning jumper at the buzzer in Game 2.
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– THE PRESSURE IS ON: The Lakers. They had the worst possible first-round matchup, and it was as bad as feared, despite being competitive in each of the first two meetings in Denver. They have lost 10 straight games to the Nuggets, including six straight in the last two playoffs. Another loss in Game 3 would all but end the series, so James and Davis will have to give it their all in Game 3 just to keep Los Angeles from losing all hope.
