10 burning questions for Sixers' second

Key Points:

• The Philadelphia 76ers face the New York Knicks in the second round of the playoffs just two days after a tough Game 7 win over Boston, with both teams having split their regular season series 2-2.
• VJ Edgecombe, a rookie known for his strong defense against Jalen Brunson during the regular season, will be key in slowing down the Knicks' offensive leader, but the Sixers will likely use multiple defenders to contain Brunson’s playoff adjustments.
• The matchup between Joel Embiid and New York’s big men, especially Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson, will be critical, with Embiid expected to exploit Towns while needing to adapt his game against Robinson’s size and defense.
• Philadelphia’s rebounding improvement in the first round will be tested against New York’s strong offensive rebounding, particularly if the Knicks deploy a big lineup featuring Robinson and Towns together.
• Head coach Nick Nurse’s strategic adjustments and rotation management will be vital for the Sixers’ success, as they seek to build on their strong first-round performance and aim for Embiid’s first conference finals appearance.