The NBA is back with the New York Knicks visiting the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night. Below we will continue our NBA odds series with a Knicks-76ers prediction and pick. We will also let you know how to watch the game.
The Knicks limped their way to the All-Star break by suffering four straight defeats thanks to being bitten by the injury bug as of late. New York lost its final assignment pretty handily to the Orlando Magic, 118-100 despite a 33-point outing from All-Star guard Jalen Brunson. Forward Precious Achiuwa, who has played over 40 minutes in seven of his last eight games, stepped up with 23 points. But their efforts were simply not enough to overcome the fact that they were extremely short-handed with several of their rotation pieces down with injuries.
Here are the NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Knicks-76ers Odds
New York Knicks: +1 (-110)
Moneyline: -102
Philadelphia 76ers: -1 (-110)
Moneyline: -116
Over: 226.5 (-110)
Under: 226.5 (-110)
How to Watch Knicks vs. 76ers
Time: 7 PM ET/4 PM PT
TV: MSG, NBC Sports Philadelphia
Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)
Why The Knicks Could Cover The Spread/Win
The Knicks have gone 29-24 against the spread this season, including 14-13 away from Madison Square Garden. On the over/under, however, the Knicks just have a record of 23-32 on the year, but are an even 14-14 on the road.
Despite the absence of majority of New York's rotation players, All-Star guard Jalen Brunson has stepped up his game even further. In his last 14 games, Brunson is averaging 32.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 6.6 assists, while shooting over 51 percent from the field and over 37 percent from beyond the arc. He will continue to lead his short-handed squad until his teammates return to full strength.
As noted earlier, New York has been bitten with the injury bug. But the 76ers are dealing with their own big injury as well, with Joel Embiid still out. Apart from Embiid, De'Anthony Melton will remain on the sidelines with a back injury.
OG Anunoby and Julius Randle will remain out, alongside Mitchell Robinson. But the Knicks should get reinforcements back with Bojan Bogdanovic and Isaiah Hartenstein both listed as probable ahead of Thursday's tilt.
In addition, guard Donte DiVincenzo is not on the injury report, which is good news for the Knicks. DiVincenzo had been heating before he sat out New York's last game versus the Heat. In his previous eight games, the former Villanova standout was averaging 26.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists, while shooting over 45 percent from the field.
Why The 76ers Could Cover The Spread/Win
The 76ers have gone 31-23 against the spread this season and are 16-12 at Wells Fargo Center. On the over/under, 76ers games have eclipsed the point total in 32 of their 54 games so far. At home, they are also 16-12.
Philly is just a slight favorite for this one, as both teams are banged up as of late. But as noted, the Knicks may be getting the shorter end of the stick. The Knicks are missing several of their key pieces, including All-Star forward Julius Randle and OG Anunoby, who has been a huge reason for their massive surge through January.
In Embiid's absence, Tyrese Maxey continues to play at an All-Star level. Through the month of February, Maxey is averaging 25.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists while shooting 45.6 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from beyond the arc.
Final Knicks-76ers Prediction & Pick
Look for the Knicks to finally get back to their winning ways with guys like DiVincenzo, Bogdanovic, and Hartenstein returning. Anunoby, Randle, and Robinson may still be out, but the 76ers are missing the biggest fish out their with Embiid still sidelined. Brunson has been playing just a notch better than Maxey at this point, while DiVincenzo has also found his groove with his expanded offensive role in Tom Thibodeau's system.
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Final Knicks-76ers Prediction & Pick: New York Knicks: +1 (-110), Over: 226.5 (-110)