NBA Today: Game 3 of Knicks-Sixers Series and First in Minnesota
The series moves to Philadelphia, where the Sixers host the Knicks (series tied 0-2). Also, Minnesota will try to redeem themselves after a blowout loss in front of their home fans in Game 3 against San Antonio (1-1).
Main Event
May 8th in the NBA playoffs will be a turning point for two second-round series. In the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia 76ers are backed against the wall — after two losses in New York, the team returns to their home arena, the Wells Fargo Center, for Game 3 against the New York Knicks. Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, the Minnesota Timberwolves will attempt to make amends in front of their home crowd at the Target Center after a crushing defeat in San Antonio — the series against the Spurs is tied 1-1.
Details and Statistics
The Sixers are in a critical position with a 0-2 deficit and are dealing with roster issues on the fly. Joel Embiid missed Game 2 due to hip and ankle injuries, and his appearance in street clothes on the bench was an unpleasant surprise for the team's fans. Without their leader, Philadelphia held their own for all 48 minutes but couldn't stop Jalen Brunson: the Knicks point guard scored 26 points and dished out 6 assists, leading his team to a 108-102 victory. He received significant help from OG Anunoby (24 points, 5 rebounds) and Karl-Anthony Towns, who recorded 20 points and 10 rebounds.
For Philadelphia, Tyrese Maxey responded with a matching 26 points, but without Embiid, the Sixers had no one to replace their tired leader down the stretch — Maxey played the entire second half without a substitution. Betting odds for Game 3 reflect the tension: the line for a New York win with a -1.5 spread is -115, while Philadelphia with +1.5 is offered at -105. The over/under is set at 213.5 points.
In Minnesota, the situation is no less intriguing. The Spurs evened the series after a historic blowout, which was the largest playoff loss in Timberwolves franchise history — 133-95. Stephon Castle scored 21 points for the visitors, De'Aaron Fox is averaging a steady 18.6 points per game in the playoffs, and Victor Wembanyama dominates the paint with an average of 11.1 points this season. For Minnesota, Julius Randle's 12 points in the last game look like a weak claim to leadership: Anthony Edwards, who averaged 28.8 points in the regular season, clearly hasn't yet reached optimal form after knee issues.
Context and Significance
The statistical context before Game 3 in Philadelphia is merciless to the home team. Over the last nine meetings between the teams, the Knicks have a 6-3 record against the spread. Even more alarming for Sixers fans is the fact that the team has lost three straight home games against New York — both outright and against the spread. In the regular season, Philadelphia went 16-29 as an underdog. However, the team has a trump card: in the first-round series against Boston, the Sixers already came back from 1-3, winning three straight games, including Game 7 on the road with a 109-100 score. This experience of hard-fought victories could be the foundation for another comeback, this time from a 0-2 deficit.
In Minnesota, the dynamics are different. The Timberwolves have gone 7-3 in their last ten games, averaging 113.9 points per game — but also allowing 113.8. The problem is obvious: the team cannot maintain a defensive advantage, and without solid defense, stopping San Antonio's offensive potential is nearly impossible.
What's Next / Next Game Preview
Game 3 of the Knicks-Sixers series will take place on Friday, May 8th, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Tip-off is at 7:00 PM Eastern Time (2:00 AM on May 9th in Kyiv). The broadcast will be provided by streaming service Amazon Prime Video. Game 4 will be held at the same venue on Sunday, May 10th, starting at 3:30 PM — a daytime game as part of the Sunday showcase on ABC.
In Minnesota, tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 PM Eastern Time (4:30 AM on May 9th in Kyiv), and the game will also be available on Prime Video. Game 4 of the Timberwolves-Spurs series is set for Sunday, May 10th, at 7:30 PM. If the Sixers fail to turn the series around at home, their season will effectively end early — no team in NBA history has come back from a 0-3 deficit. For Minnesota, a win in Game 3 is equally critical: a loss on their home court would make the Spurs overwhelming favorites to advance to the next round.
— Editorial Team
