Joel Embiid and the 76ers lost two playoff games against the Knicks in New York. They still feel they have a chance to win the series. Embiid confidently stated, “We’re going to win this series.”
This bold statement comes as all three teams – the 76ers, Magic, and Lakers – are trailing 2-0 in their respective playoff series. They all play Game 3 at home on Thursday.
Returning home gives them a confidence boost. No NBA team has ever won a playoff series after being down 3-0. The Knicks, Cleveland, and Denver aim to extend their leads on the road.
The Cavs dominated both games at their home court, with loud fans possibly affecting the Magic’s performance. Orlando struggled with shooting, making only 34.3% of their shots and 26.1% of their 3-pointers in Games 1 and 2. Despite having the worst offense in the playoffs, they missed open shots.
Being back at home should improve the Magic’s performance, with coach J.B. Bickerstaff expecting them to play more aggressively.
The Lakers haven’t played a home game since April 9 due to a long stretch on the road, including the play-in tournament and two playoff games in Denver. LeBron James is eager to play at home again, hoping to energize the fans.
