Joel Embiid, Down 2-0 In The Series, Claims Sixers Are A Better Team Than The Knicks

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The Philadelphia 76ers suffered a crushing defeat to the New York Knicks in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Playoffs series, 104-101. They led by 5 points with 30 seconds remaining, but still found a way to lose.

Not to worry, Sixers fans. Superstar center Joel Embiid claims that they’re going to win the series because they’re the better team.

First off, the loss was absolutely debilitating. The Sixers erased a 7-point fourth quarter deficit to lead by 5 points with under 30 seconds remaining. But, an epic collapse,  aided by the officials swallowing their whistle, allowed the Knicks to steal game 2.

That’s just a terrible way to lose if you’re the Philadelphia 76ers. Had they held on, they would’ve swung home court advantage back to Philadelphia by stealing a road game. Instead, they now have to play a must-win game on Thursday back in the City of Brotherly Love. An NBA team has never won a series in which they trailed 3-0.

That being said, Embiid claims the Sixers are better. But, are they? Right now they’re down 2-0,  and Knicks superstar guard Jalen Brunson is 16-55 from the floor for the series. Their opponent is basically getting nothing out of their best player, and they’re still winning.

Part of that is because of great defense the Sixers are playing on Brunson. Head Coach Nick Nurse is effectively using length to guard him. But, he’s going to play better at some point in the series. If you’re not winning when he’s playing poorly, it’s tough to win when he’s playing well.

That being said, if the Sixers win the next two at home, it’s a new series heading back to New York. But, I wouldn’t be as sure as Joel Embiid is.