
With how the Detroit Pistons vs. Cleveland Cavaliers game played out on Saturday, a sweep is now off the table in one Eastern Conference semifinals series. But the New York Knicks can still make it happen today when they take on the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 4 of their series.
The same two players are on the injury list as they were for Game 3: Joel Embiid for the 76ers and OG Anunoby for the Knicks. Both were listed as “GTD” or game-time decisions, but only Embiid played. Will either play in Game 4?

(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Let’s go over the betting line for the game, discuss the availability of Embiid and Anunoby, and how to bet on this game.
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The health and status of Joel Embiid and OG Anunoby were hot topics of conversation heading into Game 3. Embiid played so well down the stretch in the series vs. the Celtics that surely his presence was pivotal for the 76ers to compete with the Knicks and their staunch defense.
But they didn’t have him, yet they played their most competitive game of the series to date. So ... is he not that important after all? Well, he was active in Game 3, but he didn’t exactly play well (18 points, six rebounds, and five assists). He is once again listed as a GTD, but is considered probable for Game 4, according to multiple reports.
As for the Knicks, the team announced Anunoby as inactive just before Game 3 because of a mild hamstring strain. His status for Game 4 is once again a game-time decision. When asked about it, head coach Mike Brown told reporters that the decision is up to the team’s medical staff. If they say he can play, then Anunoby will play.
Of course, at this stage, it would be more prudent to hold him out. No team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit. Of the 161 times a team has gotten out to a 3-0 lead, 98 wrapped things up in Game 4 (61%). Another 47 got it done in five (29%). Wrapping the series up sooner rather than later would be ideal, but they’ll need Anunoby in the Eastern Conference finals.
If Embiid can go and Anunoby cannot, the 76ers' money line becomes a great value play here. With such a small spread (1.5-points), the game could easily go either way. So, if you want to bet on a winner, the 76ers' money line is the best play.
But I can’t say with confidence that Philadelphia will win this game or that the Knicks will. From a fan perspective, this is a great series because two excellent teams are involved, capable of winning on any given day. From a betting perspective, it doesn’t get much more frustrating than that.
Luckily, the total is still in play. So far, the Under is 2-1 in this series. It went 5-2 for the 76ers-Celtics series and 3-3 for the Knicks-Hawks series. Overall, the Under was 27-27 in the first round and was 7-5 in the conference semifinals through Saturday’s games.
Defense has been the key so far in the 2026 postseason. That will be the case for this contest, regardless of who is healthy and active and who is not. I’d pick the Knicks to win, but I’m betting on the Under.
If Joel Embiid plays, he will probably not be 100%, which means the 76ers will need someone to step up and take some of the pressure off Embiid to score. Should Embiid sit, the 76ers will still need someone to help shoulder the load. That will mean turning to Tyrese Maxey and Paul George. Because of that, I expect George to continue shooting from the perimeter as he did in Games 2 and 3 when he attempted 13 and 8 from behind the arc.
I’m a little concerned with how the first round went with Brunson going over this total in just three of the six games. But through three games in this series, it appears as if the 76ers are not sure how to play Brunson. Philadelphia did not do well as Brunson scored 35, 26, and 33 points. With a return trip to the conference finals on the line, he is going to smell blood in the water.
It’s a number that KAT has gone over in 46 of 84 games this season and in two of three vs. the 76ers in the regular season. But he has gone over it just twice in the playoffs and under it in his last six playoff games. He totaled 30 in three of those games, so he is capable.
Towns has been taking 13 shots or fewer per game in the postseason. So, unless he goes to the line a lot, he’s not going to go over this total.
