New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers Spread Pick for Jan 5

New York Knicks (19-15 SU, 19-15 ATS) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (23-10 SU, 24-9 ATS)

When: Friday, January 5th, 7:30 PM (ET)

Where: Wells Fargo Center, PA, Philadelphia

TV: ESPN

Point Spread: NY +6.5/Phi -6.5 (Did you know that you could be betting on games at -105 instead of -110? Imagine how much money you’d be saving! Make the switch to BAS Sportsbook!)

Total: 227.5

Money Line: Knickerbockers +208/Sixers -256

Notable Injuries

Knicks

• Mitchell Robinson (Out) Ankle
• Malachi Flynn (Questionable) Ankle

76ers

• Robert Covington (Questionable) Knee
• Furkan Korkmaz (Questionable) Illness
• De’Anthony Melton (Out) Back

Recent Form

As the Knicks get ready to take on the 76ers, they are the 6.5-point underdogs. Before this game, they are 3rd in the Atlantic and 8th in the Eastern Conference on a record of 19-15.

Out of their 34 games, the Knicks have been the underdog in 17 matchups this season and have gone 8-9 straight-up in those games. Their average scoring margin as the underdog is currently -5.8 points per game on the road and +6.6 at home.

New York’s ATS record on the road is sitting at 10-10 for the season, but they have failed to cover the spread in three straight road games. The Knicks’ overall ATS streak is at two games, and they have an average cover margin of +3.2 points per game.

The over/under record in their games is just above .500 at 17-16-1, and the under has hit in two straight games. Today’s line of 227.5 is slightly higher than their average over/under line of 225.7. In their previous games with higher over/under lines than 227.5, their O/U record is 8-3-1.

As the 76ers get ready to host the Knicks, they are favored by 6.5 points. If they are able to cover, they will also pick up their 5th straight ATS win as the favorite. Overall, Philadelphia is 2nd in the Atlantic and 3rd in the Eastern Conference on a record of 23-10.

When playing at home, the 76ers have been the dominant team all season long, as evidenced by their average scoring margin of +13.7 points per game. The team’s home record for the season is 13-4, and they have also covered the spread in three straight home games.

Against other teams in the East, the 76ers have gone 17-8 compared to 6-2 in non-conference games. Philly’s ATS record in non-conference games is currently 11-5, and they have gone 20-5 as the favorite this season.

So far, 76ers games have had an average over/under line of 229.1 points, and their average OU record for the season is 20-13. In their previous games with lower over/under lines than 227.5, the 76ers have gone 7-8 vs. the OU lines.

The Historicals

Across the previous five meetings between the teams, the 76ers have an average scoring margin of +4 points per game, leading to an ATS mark of 3-2. A combined average of 220 points per game was achieved in these matchups, leading to an over-under mark of 3-2.

Analysis

In their last game vs. the Bulls, the Knicks offense put up 116 points while shooting 51.7% from the field. Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson were the leading scorers for the Knicks with 35 and 31 points, respectively. The Knicks also hit 15 three-pointers in the game.

At this time, the Knicks’ defense is positioned 12th in the NBA, permitting 113.3 points per game. Opponents are hitting 55.0% of their two-point field goal attempts this season, and they’re also connecting on 37.6% of their three-point attempts.

In their most recent game, the 76ers scored 110 points against the Bulls. In that game, they shot 47.5% from the field and attempted 30 three-pointers. Over their last three games, the 76ers have an effective field goal percentage of 52.6%, which is slightly lower than their season-long EFG of 54% (14th). In their five most recent games, the 76ers are shooting 34.7% from three, which ranks 11th.

On defense, the 76ers come into the game ranked 4th in the league in points allowed at 110.5 per game. Over their last three games, the team is allowing 109.7 points per contest (10th). In terms of takeaways, the 76ers are causing 12 turnovers per game, ranking 6th in the league. They also enter the matchup ranked 7th in rejections, averaging 6 blocked shots each game.

Betting Trends

• Across the Knicks’ last five road games, the team averaged 117 points per game while allowing 119. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 2-3, while going 2-3 straight-up.
• When looking at their past ten home matchups, Philadelphia has an ATS record of 7-3 while averaging 120 per game. The team went 6-4 overall in these games.
• The last three games that New York was the underdog, they had an ATS mark of 1-2 while going 1-2 straight up.
• In their last ten games as the betting favorite, the 76ers have a straight up record of 9-1 and an ATS mark of 9-1.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

Since pulling the trade for OG Anunoby, the Knicks have rattled off two straight wins. Right away, his impact on defense has given the team a boost and he provides the team with another playmaker on offense. I’m taking the Knicks to cover at +6.5.

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