76ers vs. Knicks: Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey both playing Game 2 as Philly tries to even playoff series

Philadelphia 76ers stars Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid will play Recreation 2 of their staff’s first-round sequence towards the New York Knicks on Monday night time. Maxey is within the lineup regardless of an sickness that had him listed as questionable. Embiid, who was additionally listed as questionable as a result of knee damage he suffered in Recreation 1, can also be suiting up. Maxey didn’t take part within the staff’s shootaround on Monday morning in accordance with ESPN. The 76ers are down within the sequence after dropping Recreation 1 on Saturday. 

Embiid landed awkwardly after a dunk on Saturday and needed to be handled within the locker room on the finish of the primary half. He returned for the second half, however went 2-for-11 from the ground.  Nonetheless, the 76ers have been +14 within the 37 minutes Embiid performed and -21 within the 11 minutes with him on the bench.

Maxey, who’s the favourite to win Most Improved Participant this season after making his first All-Star recreation, was unimaginable in Philadelphia’s Recreation 1 defeat, ending with 33 factors and 4 assists on 14-of-26 from the sphere. 

He’s the Sixers’ solely perimeter participant who can constantly create their very own shot and put stress on the protection. Moreover, he is their most dependable 3-point menace — 37.3% on 8.1 makes an attempt per recreation total and 44.4% on catch-and-shoot seems — and a key ground spacer round Embiid. For the season, the Sixers’ offensive score with Maxey on the ground was 118.3 and plummeted to 109.3 when he sat, which was the most important distinction of any common rotation participant. 

The purpose is, the Sixers want Maxey to be at his finest in the event that they wish to win this sequence towards a bodily Knicks protection that may overwhelm opponents at time. If Maxey and Embiid are each struggling, Recreation 2 figures to be an uphill battle for the Sixers. In NBA historical past, groups that take a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven sequence go on to win it 92.7% of the time.