NBA: Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks Preview, Prediction

NBA: Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks Preview, Prediction

The New York Knicks (47-27) host the Philadelphia 76ers (23-52) in the season finale between the Atlantic Division rivals on Tuesday (7:30 p.m. ET). 

The Knicks are third in the East as they gear up for the playoffs. Meanwhile, the 76ers are lottery bound with the third worst record in the East. 

The Knicks beat the 76ers in all three of the matchups this season. This would be the Knicks’ first sweep vs. the 76ers since 2015-16. The most recent was a 110-105 home victory on Feb. 26, fueled by Jalen Brunson’s 34 points and seven assists. 

PHI @ NYK Odds

However, Brunson (ankle) still is out of the lineup for the Knicks. 

The 76ers are minus their top three players. Joel Embiid and Paul George are out for the season. Tyrese Maxey isn’t playing because of a finger injury. 

This figures to be an easy victory for the Knicks even without Brunson. The Knicks are a solid 8-5 this season when their star point guard isn’t playing. 

The Knicks don’t have the same offensive firepower right now but they’re No. 9 in defensive rating in the last 10 games. The depleted 76ers are No. 28 in net rating in their last 10 games. 

Knicks forward OG Anunoby will continue his superb play with another strong outing. In his last six outings, Anunoby is averaging 28.3 points on 56 percent shooting overall and 41.9 percent on 3-pointers. 

Also without the presence of Embiid, Karl-Anthony Towns will have a field day in the paint and beyond the arc. Towns had a modest double-double (10 points, 11 rebounds) in the March 30 win vs. the Portland Trail Blazers, but he’ll be dominant against the shaky Sixers. 

The 76ers are last in the league in defensive rating for the last 10 games. 

The Knicks are favored by 14.5 points and the total is set for 222.0 points at bet365. For the moneyline, it’s 76ers +700 and Knicks -1100. 

The 76ers (8-18-1) have the league’s worst record against the spread as road underdogs. The Knicks are 4-1 against the spread in their last five games. 

The 76ers won’t put up much of a fight as the Knicks will cover the spread for a blowout victory.