76ers vs. Knicks Pick
Can the New York Knicks avoid being upset at home by the Philadelphia 76ers when the two kickoff the Christmas Day NBA action at Noon ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, New York is favored at home today, as the Knicks are getting odds of -3 points against Philadelphia. The over/under total is listed at 208.5 points. The home team has won four straight in this series, but Philadelphia has covered the spread in all four meetings. This is the first meeting this season. Today’s game takes place from Madison Square Garden in New York, New York and will air live on ESPN.
The Knicks are coming off a 104-101 loss at Detroit on Friday night for its second loss in three games. New York is now 17-15 on the season. The Knicks have covered the spread in five of their last six and sit at 19-13 against the spread on the season. The Knicks are scoring 104.2 points per game on offense while allowing 103.5 per game on defense. At home they are averaging 107.8 on offense while giving up just 100.8. Kristaps Porzingis is putting up 24.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game to lead the Knicks while Enes Kanter is adding 13.5 points and 10 rebounds per game. Kanter is dealing with a facial injury, but is expected to play today.
After a promising start to the season, Philadelphia has lost five straight to fall to 14-18 this year. The 76ers have failed to cover in their last five as well and are 16-15-1 ATS on the season. Philly is averaging 107.9 points per game on offense while allowing 109.2 per game on defense. Joel Embiid has sat out the last few games with a back injury but is expected to play today. He is averaging 23.7 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. Ben Simmons is adding 17.1 points, 8.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game.
When the 76ers have Embiid they are certainly a better team, but the Knicks aren’t lacking in size to deal with him. New York has been a much better team at home this season and they actually have a winning record and something to build on for Christmas. The 76ers had a fast start, but still seem to be a year or two away from actually contending for anything in the East. I look for the Knicks to be the better defensive team today and that to carry them to the win and cover. The public betting is slightly with New York and I think the Knicks will prevail as well.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: NEW YORK KNICKS -3