The Philadelphia 76ers find themselves under immense pressure after their collapse in the closing moments of Game 2, which allowed the New York Knicks to seize a commanding 2-0 series lead. Joel Embiid and the Sixers are now facing a critical Game 3, where victory is imperative if they hope to inject competitiveness into the series.
According to our dfsPro model, Embiid is forecasted to showcase his shooting prowess by connecting on multiple 3-pointers en route to a significant offensive performance. Conversely, Isaiah Hartenstein is projected to emerge as one of the Knicks’ most effective all-around contributors.
April 25 NBA Playoff Props
DraftKings Joel Embiid Made Over 1.5 3-Pointers (-142)
Embiid’s performance in the first two games of the series against the Knicks has shown flashes of promise, but it’s evident that he’s still grappling with his return to full health post-injury.
Despite averaging an impressive 31.5 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists in Games 1 and 2, Embiid has struggled with shooting efficiency, hitting just 39.2% from the field and 23.5% from beyond the arc. So, why should you have confidence in him for Game 3, knowing he’s not at his peak physically since his knee injury?
Firstly, Game 3 is a pivotal moment for the Sixers, and they’ll heavily rely on Embiid for offensive production. They’re determined not to go down without a fight, which suggests Embiid will likely see extended playing time, possibly logging 40 or more minutes.
Embiid’s significant volume of 3-point attempts is also noteworthy for bettors eyeing the Over in this scenario. Despite his struggles with accuracy, he’s consistently surpassed the 1.5 3-point attempts line in both playoff games and the last six games overall.
Our AI-driven model anticipates Embiid to elevate his 3-point shooting in this crucial home game against New York, projecting him to attempt 6.7 3-pointers and make 2.5 of them. This represents a substantial increase of 86.11% in his season average for attempted 3-pointers (3.6) and a 78.57% rise in his average for made 3-pointers (1.4).
