The New York Knicks (33-22) face off against the Philadelphia 76ers (32-22) in the first game after the All-Star break. Both teams are jockeying for position in the Eastern Conference while also trying to weather the storm of injuries.
This is the first of three matchups for these two teams in the next three weeks. They met in early January, and the Knicks came out victorious. These three games might mean a lot for home-court advantage in the playoffs. New York and Philadelphia are fighting over the fourth seed. Getting home-court advantage for the first round might be the difference between advancing and going home.
Is there any value in betting this game?
New York Knicks Vs. Philadelphia 76ers: Betting Odds and Details
| Team | Spread | Total | MoneyLine |
| New York Knicks | +1 -110 |
O 227.0 -110 |
-102 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | -1 -110 |
U 227.0 -110 |
-118 |
| ** Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook** | |||
Fixture: New York Knicks @ Philadelphia 76ers
Date And Time: February 22, 2024 @ 7:00 p.m. EST
Location: Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA
Key Stats
New York Knicks (Averages)
Points: 114.5
Points Allowed: 109.9
Field Goal Efficiency: 41.7/89.2 for 46.7%
Three-Pont Efficiency: 13.0/35.2 for 36.8%
Free Throw Efficiency: 18.2/23.1 for 78.7%
Rebounds: 12.7 Offensive, 33.1 Defensive, 45.9 Combined
Assists: 23.7
Steals: 7.3
Blocks: 3.9
Turnovers: 13.1
Field Goal Efficiency Against: 40.9/86.5 for 47.3%
Three-Point Efficiency Against: 12.8/34.7 for 35.6%
Free Throw Efficiency Against: 15.3/20.2 for 76.0%
Rebounds Against: 9.9 Offensive, 30.4 Defensive, 40.3 Combined
The New York Knicks have been ravaged by injuries in the past few weeks. Julius Randle and OG Anunoby are out for the foreseeable future. Bojan Bogdanovic and Donte DiVincenzo are considered day-to-day. The team is counting on Jalen Brunson having his superstar moment. He is averaging 27.6 points and 6.5 assists for the team on the season but might need to up those averages over the next couple of weeks.
The key to this game will be three-pointers. The New York Knicks are fifth in the Eastern Conference in three-point percentage at 36.8%. If the Knicks can get hot from three, they could bury the Philadelphia 76ers at home.
Philadelphia 76ers (Averages)
Points: 118.3
Points Allowed: 113.9
Field Goal Efficiency: 42.5/89.6 for 47.5%
Three-Pont Efficiency: 11.3/31.6 for 35.9%
Free Throw Efficiency: 22.0/26.5 for 82.8%
Rebounds: 11.1 Offensive, 32.1 Defensive, 43.2 Combined
Assists: 24.9
Steals: 8.6
Blocks: 5.8
Turnovers: 11.9
Field Goal Efficiency Against: 41.5/87.7 for 47.3%
Three-Point Efficiency Against: 11.7/33.5 for 34.9%
Free Throw Efficiency Against: 19.3/24.5 for 78.4%
Rebounds Against: 11.4 Offensive, 32.7 Defensive, 44.1 Combined
The Philadelphia 76ers are reeling since Joel Embiid went down with a knee injury. They are 3-7 in their last ten games and have plummeted down the Eastern Conference standings. It has been the defense that has failed them. Over the last ten games, they have given up a whopping 122.4 points per game. Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey have picked up the slack on the offensive end, but they need someone to step up on defense.
Outside of Embiid, the team has a couple of players dealing with day-to-day injuries. Harris and De’Anthony Melton have nagging injuries, while Nicolas Batum and Robert Covington are out. The Philadelphia 76ers are hoping to break a five-game home losing streak.
Game Prediction
The odds have the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers game as a toss-up. Both teams are in similar spots right now but I am slightly favoring the Knicks here. The defensive numbers for the 76ers are too much to ignore. I’m in on the over in this game, as there should be no shortage of scoring, even without players. Those top players are the defensive anchors, meaning the offensive players should run wild. While it’s a toss-up, I favor taking the best player on the court, which is Brunson.
Final Pick
New York Knicks +1 and Over 227.0
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Matt has been following sports since he was a kid. While football is his primary focus, Matt can talk about any sport anytime. He is a banker in Wisconsin and hosts two podcasts, Beers and Ears & Discontinued on Display.
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