In a highly anticipated first-round matchup of the 2024 playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers are set to take on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Despite the Knicks' dominance over the Sixers during the regular season, Philadelphia's recent nine-game winning streak has instilled confidence that they can pull off an upset in Game 1.

The series tips off on Saturday night at 6 p.m. ET, marking the first time that Joel Embiid starts a first-round series on the road since the 2020 bubble. The last encounter between these two teams was a 128-92 blowout in favor of the Knicks, which saw a hobbled Embiid valiantly play despite the game being well out of reach.

During the regular season, the Sixers struggled against the Knicks, managing only one win out of the four matchups. They averaged a disappointing 25-point margin of defeat in those losses. However, it's important to note that Embiid was active for just one of those games, as the remaining contests occurred after he tore his left meniscus.

Despite the challenges presented by the Knicks, the Sixers will look to exploit their opponent's weaknesses. Philadelphia's starting lineup remains intact, but their bench has undergone changes since their previous encounters with New York. Notably, injuries to De'Anthony Melton and Robert Covington forced the Sixers to rely on Patrick Beverley, Danuel House Jr., and Marcus Morris Sr. as their primary bench contributors.

One positive for the Sixers is that they managed to contain the Knicks' best player, Jalen Brunson, during the regular season matchups. Brunson's average of 22.3 points per game against Philadelphia was six points lower than his season average. He struggled with his shooting, converting just 40.3% from the field and a mere 30% from beyond the arc.

To succeed in this series, the Sixers must focus on limiting Brunson's impact and taking care of the basketball. Philadelphia was the best team in the league during the regular season in terms of protecting the ball, with a low turnover rate of only 12% of possessions. However, they must avoid replicating their high turnover performance in the Play-In game against Miami, where they committed 15 turnovers.

Both teams have battled through injuries throughout the season, but they enter the series relatively healthy. The Knicks missed the services of OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson for extended periods, while the Sixers had to navigate two months without their star player Embiid. However, Julius Randle's absence due to a season-ending shoulder injury on January 27 will be a significant blow for the Knicks. The Sixers, on the other hand, have ruled out De'Anthony Melton for Game 1, with uncertain prospects for his return.

Fans can catch this thrilling first-round matchup between the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers on ESPN or NBC Sports Philadelphia. With revenge on their minds and a determined squad, the Sixers aim to defy the odds and secure an upset victory in Game 1 at Madison Square Garden.