3 things Philadelphia 76ers must do to bounce back in Game 2 against New York Knicks

The Philadelphia 76ers showed that it can stay with the New York Knicks and pushed their higher-seeded opponents to the edge. Philadelphia lost Game 1 111-104 but not before giving the host Knicks some sizable problems to ponder on. Nick Nurse’s troops likely followed the battle plan to the letter but he may tweak their plan after New York drew first blood.

Philadelphia’s best-laid plans, however, will go down the drain if Joel Embiid is unable to play or compromised. “The Process” was ruled questionable heading into Game 1 but ended up playing 37 minutes. His status may be even more uncertain leading into the rematch after he seemed to injure his already surgically repaired knee.

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Assuming Embiid plays and has roughly the same impact on the game as he did in Game 1, the Philadelphia 76ers could even the series.

Adjustments the Philadelphia 76ers have to do to even their series against the New York Knicks

#3 Tyrese Maxey has to fight through screens better

The Philadelphia 76ers unsurprisingly started Tyrese Maxey on Jalen Brunson. Maxey did quite well in one-on-one matchups as he can keep up with “JB.” Philly sends double-teams if Brunson tries to play bully ball with Maxey guarding him.

New York’s late-game surge happened when the Knicks repeatedly ran Maxey off screens. Philadelphia’s point guard was probably gassed at that time which was why he wasn’t as energetic in fighting over screens compared to the first half.

Bottling up Brunson to delay the Knicks’ action was part of the reason the 76ers had a 34-25 first-quarter lead. Maxey, fresh at the start, did his role quite well. If he can keep it up with time winding down, the Philadelphia 76ers have a chance to tie the series.

#2 Joel Embiid has to be aggressive if the Knicks put O.G. Anunoby on him

76ers coach Nick Nurse’s off-ball action has been quite effective in getting Joel Embiid free of Mitchell Robinson. New York countered by either blitzing “The Process” or letting O.G. Anunoby take on the unenviable task of slowing down the 7-foot, 280-pound behemoth. When this happens, Embiid could just get himself deep in the paint and bully his way to the rim.

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If the Knicks send a double, a quick kickout should give a shooter some daylight to hoist a shot. On one instance in Game 1, Embiid settled for a mid-range jump shot. Tom Thibodeau will take that even if he makes the shot instead of wreaking havoc inside the paint.

#1 Rebound, rebound and rebound

To say that the Philadelphia 76ers were crushed on the boards by the New York Knicks is a huge understatement. The disparity in rebounding 55-33 in favor of the hosts was the biggest difference in the game. New York's 23-9 edge in offensive rebounds led to a crippling 26-8 advantage in second-chance points.

The Knicks showed more grit and hustle in crashing the boards than the 76ers did. Jalen Brunson had five offensive rebounds while Joel Embiid had three. Think about that. It wasn’t the size or the height, it was sheer will by perhaps the shortest guy in the series to go after rebounds.

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Isaiah Hartenstein who had trouble holding his own against Embiid also had five while Mitchell Robinson lorded everyone with seven. For almost the entire game, it looked like the Knicks had a follow-up shot after every miss.

If the Philadelphia 76ers can’t finish their defensive effort by securing the ball, the New York Knicks will eventually just pummel them to submission.