Julius Erving's Urgent Message to Joel Embiid, Sixers Ahead of Game 3 vs. Knicks

NBA legend Julius Erving has issued an urgent message to Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers ahead of their Game 3 showdown vs. the Knicks.

The Sixers fell in an 0-2 series hole on Monday night after a late-game collapse, which saw them give up a five-point lead in the closing moments, leading to their 104-101 defeat. The series now heads over to Philadelphia, where Embiid and the Sixers must get a Game 3 win to get back in it.

Dr. J thinks the Sixers still have a chance to make it a series vs. the Knicks, and he's calling on the franchise to have a tougher mindset moving forward.

"Watch the tape a couple of times and then get over it," Erving said, via SI.com . "Get over it while you’re still in the video room and while the coach is right there addressing you and you’re addressing him as you’re sitting there as a unit of one. Come out of that room with that solidarity, that says, 'OK, the only way we can remedy this is by playing winning basketball and winning the next game.'"

Erving wasn't a fan of Embiid's body language during their Game 2 loss either. Dr. J is calling on the Sixers' franchise star to stick his chest out and have a bit of pride in Game 3, even if Philadelphia ends up losing.

"I want to see (Embiid) with his head up and his chest out and come out there, and if he’s only going to play 20 minutes, give it 20 good minutes and let the other guys—they’re getting paid, too— let them do what they’re supposed to do," Erving added. "And (playing at) home should be to their benefit. They should have a little bit more confidence coming home even though the Knicks have all the confidence in the world after winning the first two games."

The Sixers have battled well vs. the Knicks, but the eye test doesn't matter after two consecutive defeats.

Catch Game 3 on Thursday night at 7 p.m. ET on TNT.