Sixers-Knicks news: Philly looks to avoid playoff sweep; history of 0-3 NBA comebacks; Joel Embiid status

The New York Knicks will be without star forward OG Anunoby for a second straight game. 

“He's out for tonight, with the same thing,” coach Mike Brown said. “He's day to day.”

Anunoby, who was playing as well as anyone this postseason, suffered a hamstring strain at the end of Game 2 as his team took an 0-2 lead on the 76ers. 

The Process is dead. Long live The Process.

The Sixers' season may be on the brink, but Philly's postseason run means nothing's on the line during today's NBA draft lottery (3 p.m., ABC). The Sixers own the No. 22 pick in next month's draft, a former Houston Rockets pick they acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of the Jared McCain trade.

The Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets, and Indiana Pacers each have a 14% of landing the No. 1 pick. All three were tankers this season – the Wizards went 3-26 after the All-Star Break, the Nets lost 43 games by double digits, and the Pacers were fined for benching healthy players.

Tyrese Maxey was a legitimate MVP candidate this season. In the frequent absences of Joel Embiid, Maxey kept the Sixers in the playoff hunt with endless effort, evolved offense, floor generalship, and, more than anything, scoring.

He averaged 28.3 points, which ranked fifth in the NBA. He averaged 21.4 shots, which was third.

In three games against the Knicks, he’s averaging 18.7 points and 14.7 shots. The Sixers have lost the first three games of this second-round series, the latest a 108-94 defeat on Friday night. The Knicks can sweep on Sunday afternoon.

Pistons lead the Cavaliers 2-1

After collapsing in the clutch in the first two games of the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Cleveland Cavaliers got timely plays in the final three minutes from James Harden and Max Strus to get back into their series against the Detroit Pistons.

Harden hit three big shots and Strus came up with the steal and go-ahead basket in the Cavaliers’ 116-109 victory on Saturday to cut the Pistons’ lead to 2-1.

After the Sixers won three straight to come back against the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs, is their any hope Philly can pull off a similar feat against the New York Knicks?

History isn't on Philly's side.

No NBA team has overcome a 3-0 playoff deficit to win a best-of-seven series.

Outside concern — and evidence — is mounting that the Sixers are physically wearing down.

After leading the NBA in minutes per game during the regular season, Tyrese Maxey entered Saturday ranked first in that category in the playoffs by nearly 30 total minutes. He's averaging over 40 minutes a game for the Sixers, topping off at nearly 47 minutes in Game 2.

The next two players in line were VJ Edgecombe, who is still in the midst of the most grueling stretch of basketball of his life, and Paul George, a 36-year-old who scored 15 first-quarter points Friday but went 0 of 9 from the floor the rest of the game.

Joel Embiid’s health remains a prominent variable for the 76ers, as evidenced by the massive ace bandage he removed from his right hip and midsection following Friday’s return to action in Game 3.

He is listed as probable to play in Game 4 on the NBA’s initial official injury report released Saturday evening.

The former NBA Most Valuable Player went 7-for-17 from the floor for 18 points in Game 3, still searching for that super-efficient shooting performance. And the Knicks have been attacking Embiid defensively in the high pick and roll, testing his mobility that was already more limited following multiple knee surgeries and has become more so while dealing with his appendectomy aftermath, hip soreness, and a sprained ankle.

The Sixers jump back onto broadcast TV Sunday looking to avoid being swept out of the playoffs by the New York Knicks.

Game 4 airs on ABC today, with tipoff scheduled for a little after 3:30 p.m. Calling the game is Mike Breen alongside Richard Jefferson and former La Salle standout Tim Legler. King of Prussia native Lisa Salters will report from Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Charles Barkley and the Inside the NBA crew – Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal – will host ABC's pregame show beginning at 2:30 p.m.