In an upcoming first-round playoff matchup between the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers, all eyes will be on the battle between Knicks' defensive ace, OG Anunoby, and the reigning MVP, Joel Embiid. Anunoby's unique defensive prowess has been a secret weapon, frustrating opponents and disrupting their plays.

Anunoby's defensive trademark involves guarding his man away from the ball while closely monitoring the actions happening on the opposite side of the court. This multitasking approach allows him to step towards the ball handler, causing panic, before quickly returning to his primary assignment on the perimeter. Through this technique, Anunoby excels at ripping steals, stalling drives, and preventing passes from ever occurring.

The 26-year-old first honed this skill during his time at Indiana University, and it has since become his trademark in the NBA. Anunoby's defensive abilities have been particularly beneficial to the Toronto Raptors, and now as a member of the Knicks, he aims to put it on display in the playoff series against the 76ers.

As Anunoby prepares to face Embiid, the Knicks understand that defending a great player like Embiid requires a team effort. Head coach Tom Thibodeau emphasizes the importance of throwing various defensive strategies at Embiid to keep him off balance. This includes swarming him before he receives the ball, sending second defenders to double-team him, and relying on the instincts of perimeter defenders like Anunoby to surprise him when he is vulnerable.

During the regular season, the Knicks found success against the 76ers with their defensive approach. They employed a drop defense against pick-and-rolls, pushed Embiid out of the paint, and relied on strong one-on-one defending from players like Isaiah Hartenstein and Mitchell Robinson. However, the playoffs bring new challenges, and the Knicks will need to diversify their coverages to prevent Embiid from getting comfortable.

Anunoby's versatility may come into play throughout the series, as evidenced by his previous matchups where he guarded not only guards like Tyrese Maxey but also power forward Tobias Harris. His anticipation, disruptive length, and multiple efforts on defense make him a valuable asset for the Knicks.

While guarding Embiid is no easy feat, the Knicks are in a better position now with the return of Mitchell Robinson, who provides size, physicality, and experience. Although still working on his conditioning, Robinson's presence will add another layer to the Knicks' defensive strategy against Embiid. Additionally, Hartenstein's Achilles tendinopathy seems to be improving, allowing him to contribute for extended minutes.

The Knicks know that containing Embiid will not rest solely on the shoulders of Anunoby, Robinson, or Hartenstein. It will require a collective effort from the entire team. The six-day break between games will provide valuable time for the Knicks to fine-tune their defensive game plan and devise ways to limit Embiid's impact on the court.

As the Knicks and the 76ers gear up for their playoff showdown, the mystery behind Anunoby's defensive technique remains intact. While Anunoby refuses to reveal his secret, his defensive skills will certainly be put to the test against the dominating presence of Joel Embiid.

The highly anticipated Game 1 of the series will take place at Madison Square Garden on Saturday at 6 p.m. (ET), where fans will eagerly witness the clash between Anunoby's defensive prowess and Embiid's offensive dominance.