As the Eastern Conference semifinals tip off between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks, all eyes are on the battle for home-court advantage—both on the court and in the stands. Joel Embiid has a clear message for Sixers fans: pack the Wells Fargo Center and don't let the Knicks take over. But if history is any guide, New Yorkers are ready to travel.

The series begins Monday at Madison Square Garden, where the energy will be electric from the celebrity-packed front rows to the die-hard fans in the upper deck. Yet both teams are already looking ahead to Games 3 and 4 in Philadelphia, where the real drama could unfold off the court.

Two years ago, during their first-round playoff clash, Knicks fans flooded South Philadelphia, turning the 76ers' home arena into what Embiid called "Madison Square Garden East." The big man isn't letting that slide again. "Don't sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you guys," Embiid pleaded, recalling the electric atmosphere that fueled the Sixers' push to Game 7.

The 76ers organization is doing its part to keep the crowd green. A message on their website now restricts ticket sales for home games to residents of the Greater Philadelphia area, based on credit card billing addresses. Orders from outside the region will be canceled and refunded. But as Knicks forward Josh Hart points out, determined New Yorkers always find a way. "They're persistent. They don't care, bro. They're going to do it," Hart said. "And for a lot of people, everything revolves around money. If they get a good price, they'll sell."

With Philadelphia just a two-hour drive or a quick train ride from New York—and road game tickets often more affordable than MSG prices—expect plenty of blue and orange in the stands. For Embiid and the Sixers, winning back their home-court atmosphere might be just as crucial as winning the games themselves. This series isn't just about basketball; it's about whose fans will be heard.