The Knicks have already walked into Philadelphia twice this season and left with two very different wins. That’s why the venue, by itself, shouldn’t be the story when this second-round series shifts to Xfinity Mobile Arena. The Knicks have already shown they can win there in a grind and in a blowout, which gives them something useful heading into Games 3 and 4 on Friday and Sunday.
If anything, the more important question isn’t whether the Knicks can play in Philadelphia. It’s which version of the matchup shows up once the floor changes.
The first trip, on Jan. 24, probably says more about this series than the second. The Knicks won that one 112-109 against a Philadelphia 76ers team that had Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey all available. Embiid was huge, finishing with 38 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, and the Knicks still found a way out. Jalen Brunson scored 31. OG Anunoby added 23. The Knicks trailed 64-60 at halftime, then won the third quarter 30-13 and held on from there.
There was another number from that night that should follow this series back to Philadelphia. The Knicks won second-chance points 26-4 and dominated the glass 53-37. Mitchell Robinson had 10 rebounds off the bench. Josh Hart had 13. The Knicks grabbed 19 offensive rebounds as a team. In a close road playoff game, that effort can quiet a building and keep a game from getting out of hand. If the Knicks are looking for a regular-season template that travels into Friday, that’s one of the best places to start.
The second trip, on Feb. 11, was a different night and a different kind of lesson. The Knicks crushed Philadelphia 138-89 and led 72-42 at halftime. They shot 52.7% from the field, hit 20 3-pointers, handed out 41 assists and put six players in double figures. Jose Alvarado scored 26 off the bench. Mikal Bridges had 22. Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points and 11 rebounds. Josh Hart added nine assists.
That game came with important absences, though, including Embiid for Philadelphia and Anunoby for the Knicks, so it isn’t a direct preview of what’s coming this weekend. But it did reinforce something that’s already shown up in this series: when the Knicks share the ball and attack the glass, they become a nightmare matchup for any defense. That’s the kind of versatility that travels well, especially on the road in the postseason.