In retrospect, the Sixers needed to win Game 2 against the New York Knicks to have any chance of upsetting them in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Sixers had the lead for most of Game 2, but they ran out of gas late in the fourth quarter with Joel Embiid sidelined (hip, ankle). Embiid returned for Game 3, but he looked nowhere near like his usual self. The Sixers stayed in striking distance for most of the night, but the Knicks finally broke the game open in the fourth quarter and pushed the Sixers to the brink of elimination. No team in NBA history has ever overcome a 3-0 series deficit, and with both Embiid and Tyrese Maxey nursing injuries, the Sixers aren't likely to be the first. Before we look ahead to perhaps their final game of the season, let's assign some blame for the loss that effectively ended the Sixers' season. 1.…