Joel Embiid and the 76ers lost two playoff games in New York. This made them feel like the series against the Knicks was far from over.
Embiid said they will win this series.
It's a bold statement from last season’s NBA MVP. The Sixers, Orlando, and the Lakers must believe it's possible as all three teams are facing 2-0 deficits before their Game 3s on Thursday in the NBA playoffs.
All three teams are returning home, needing a confidence boost with their seasons on the line. No NBA team has ever won a playoff series after trailing 3-0. The Knicks, Cleveland, and Denver all aim to get closer to a first-round win on the road.
The Cavs led throughout both games at Cleveland's loud Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. The noise might have affected the Magic’s shooting.
Orlando performed poorly in Games 1 and 2, shooting only 34.3% and making just 17 of 65 3-pointers (26.1%). They missed open, uncontested shots.
Playing at home will help, and Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff expects the Magic to increase their physicality.
Bickerstaff said, 'They’re going to be a different team at home. Being able to play in front of your crowd gives you the confidence that you can.'
The Lakers haven’t played a home game since April 9, having five straight road games including the play-in tournament and two playoff games in Denver.
LeBron James said, 'It feels like it’s been forever since we played here. Hopefully the 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 towards 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 crowd for their Game 3 homecoming. There are 2016 and 2018 national championship banners in the Wells Fargo Center rafters. The trio have been fantastic in their efforts trying to raise a banner at Madison Square Garden. Brunson finished with 24 points despite going 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: The officiating. 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 officials” during the decisive Game 2 possession. The NBA also determined Tyrese Maxey was fouled twice before his turnover that led to the go-ahead 3-pointer by DiVincenzo in the Knicks’ 104-101 victory in Game 2. Embiid used an expletive after the game in saying the officiating had been unacceptable for missing the attempted timeout and the foul.
De’Anthony Melton, a Sixers guard, may return in Game 3 after missing most of the second half of the season with a spinal injury. He averaged 11.1 points and was a significant contributor early in the year. Melton practiced on Wednesday and said his body has responded well to playing on the court.
There is pressure on Embiid and the 76ers in Game 3. The Sixers went 25-16 at home this season, which could be an advantage. However, they faltered at home in a Game 6 loss to Boston in the Eastern Conference semifinals and then lost Game 7 on the road. The Sixers might as well start preparing to leave if they lose Game 3.
CAVALIERS AT MAGIC
Cleveland leads 2-0. Game 3, 7 p.m. EDT, NBA TV/fubo
The Cavaliers have played well, which could signal improvement or be concerning if they advance. Cleveland is 15-0 when leading a series 2-0. Last year’s difficult first-round exit against New York is still motivating them. The Magic have a playoff game at their home arena for the first time since April 21, 2019, and will be aiming for their first home playoff win since April 26, 2011. Orlando made the playoffs in 2020, the year that the season concluded without fans at the Disney complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, just outside of Orlando, but not the team’s true home arena.
The tough play of Franz and Moritz Wagner sets the tone for the Magic. They play with intensity and at times toe the line of what may be considered unsportsmanlike. They will surely be seeking any opportunity to motivate their teammates and the home crowd.
Magic guard Jalen Suggs played the second half of Game 2 despite appearing to suffer a serious left knee injury. Suggs is Orlando’s top on-ball defender and the Magic cannot afford to be without him.
The pressure is on Orlando’s Paolo Banchero. If the Magic are going to stage a comeback in the series, Banchero, who is averaging 22.5 points but 7.5 turnovers in two games, needs to elevate his performance. The Cavs’ size inside is troubling the second-year forward, who is experiencing his first taste of the postseason.
NUGGETS at LAKERS
Denver leads 2-0. Game 3, 10 p.m. EDT, TNT
Jamal Murray missed 15 of his first 20 shots and Denver trailed by 20 in Game 2 against the Lakers. However, the Nuggets are the defending champions for a reason. Murray got hot, along with the rest of Denver. He scored 14 points by going 6 for 8 in the fourth quarter and made a step-back 15-footer over Anthony Davis at the buzzer for a 101-99 victory.
Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves, two crucial members of the Lakers’ supporting cast, have been ineffectual in the series. Hachimura has only scored a total of 10 points while inexplicably attempting just 11 shots in 69 minutes of play, and Reaves has only mustered 18 points in two subdued performances. With minimal scoring help from two starters who should be doing more, the Lakers have been unable to keep up with Denver’s more balanced offense.
Lakers swingman Jarred Vanderbilt is aiming to play in Game 3 after sitting out since Feb. 1 with a sprained right foot. While he makes little offensive contributions, Vanderbilt’s defensive intensity could potentially aid the Lakers’ efforts to contain Jamal Murray, who scored 22 points in Game 1 and hit the winning shot at the buzzer in Game 2.
— The Lakers are under a lot of pressure. They have a tough first-round matchup, and it's been just as tough as expected. Although they were competitive in the first two games in Denver, they have lost 10 games in a row to the Nuggets, including six straight in the past two playoffs. If they lose Game 3, the series will almost be over, so James and Davis will have to give their all in Game 3 to prevent Los Angeles from losing all hope.
