NY Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers Game 6 Pick & Predictions

New York Knicks (50-32 SU, 47-39 ATS) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (47-35 SU, 52-35 ATS)

When: Thursday, May 2nd, 9:00 PM (ET)

Where: Wells Fargo Center, PA, Philadelphia

TV: TNT

Point Spread: NY +3.5/Phi -3.5

Total: 198.5

Money Line: New York Knicks +131/-157

Notable Injuries

Knicks

• Bojan Bogdanovic (Out) Ankle
• Julius Randle (Out) Shoulder
• Mitchell Robinson (Questionable) Ankle

76ers

• Joel Embiid (Questionable) Knee
• Robert Covington (Out) Knee

The Knicks have a chance to close out this first-round series against the 76ers on Thursday. Heading into game six, the Knicks are up 3-2 in the series. Tip-off is at 9:00 PM ET from Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. TNT is carrying the game on TV. The over/under line is at 198.5 points, and the 76ers are favored by 3.5 points. The money line odds are +131 for the Knicks and -157 for the 76ers.

The 76ers picked up a 112-106 win over the Knicks in the most recent game of this series. Philadelphia was a 6-point underdog heading into the game, and they covered the spread. The over/under line for the game was 203.5 points, and the teams combined to score 218 points.

Philadelphia jumped out to a 26-17 lead in the first quarter, but the Knicks responded with a 32-17 advantage in the 2nd. Tyrese Maxey had a huge game for the 76ers, finishing with 46 points and knocking down seven threes. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 40 points.

Recent Form

In their games this season, the Knicks have averaged a combined scoring total of 220.6 points per game. Today’s O/U line of 198.5 is lower than the average O/U line in their games this season (221 points).

When looking at their season-long O/U record, the Knicks are 39-47-1. Today’s line of 198.5 is lower than the combined scoring total of 218 points in their last game, which went over the O/U line of 203.5.

New York’s ATS record for the season is 47-39, including a road ATS record of 24-18. The team has covered the spread in two straight road games, and their average scoring margin on the road is +3.0 points per game.

As the underdog this season, the Knicks are 15-22 straight-up and 18-19 vs. the spread. Today, they are getting 3.5 points on the spread.

The Knicks are currently 2nd in the Eastern Conference with a record of 50-32. In their last game, they lost to the 76ers by a score of 112-106. New York was favored by 4 points in that game.

Philadelphia is favored by 3.5 points today and has gone 35-19 ATS as the favorite this season. As the favorite, they have a scoring margin of +8 points per game. In their games as the favorite, the team is 40-14 straight up.

In the Eastern Conference, the 76ers are currently in 7th place with a record of 47-35. Against other teams in the East, they are 31-21 and 8-8 against division opponents. At home, they are 27-17 and have an average scoring margin of +4.7 points per game.

The 76ers’ O/U record for the season is 46-42, and their games have averaged a combined 225.2 points per game. Today’s O/U line of 198.5 is lower than their season average of 225.5 points per game.

Philadelphia’s last game was also against the Knicks, and they won 112-106. The 76ers were 4-point underdogs going into the game, giving them an ATS win. The O/U line for the game was 203.5 points.

The Historicals

Through the last 5 matchups between the teams, Philadelphia has an ATS mark of 3-2. But, looking at the scoring margin in these games, an average of just 0 points per game separates the teams. In these contests, they averaged a combined 212 points per game, leading to an over-under mark of 3-2.

Analysis

Jalen Brunson has been carrying the Knicks offense of late, averaging 34.4 points per game in his last five games. This has come while hitting 41.9% of his shots from the field. Over this stretch, he also averaged 8.4 assists. Josh Hart has averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds in his last five games, while OG Anunoby is averaging 14.2 points in his last five games.

New York is the slowest-paced team in the league this season, averaging 94.8 possessions per game. Despite that, they have averaged 114 points per game on the road, compared to 110.9 at home. Overall, they are 19th in scoring. The Knicks have outscored the league average in 43.9% of their games.

When it comes to defense, the New York Knicks have been one of the best units in the league, allowing just 108.1 points per game, which is good for 4th in the NBA. On the road this season, they have given up 111.0 points per game, which is 8th in the league.

One thing to note is that opponents have scored less than their season average in 74.4% of games against the Knicks. In terms of three-point shooting, New York has done a good job of limiting opponents, allowing just 12.6 made threes per game, which is 11th in the league.

While they have been a solid defensive team overall, one area where they have struggled is in terms of blocked shots, ranking 28th in the NBA. In terms of steals, they are 19th in the league at 7.5 per game.

Joel Embiid comes into the game as the league’s leading scorer, averaging 34.7 points per game. Over his last five games, he has put up 31.8 points and 10.4 rebounds. Tyrese Maxey has been hot for the 76ers of late, averaging 32.4 points per game in his last five. In these games, he hit 4.2 threes per game.

Philadelphia is 15th in the league in scoring at 114.6 points per game. They have been slightly better at home, averaging 114.9 points per contest. The team’s three-point shooting percentage of 36% is 19th in the league, and they are also 19th in attempts.

When it comes to defense, the 76ers have been one of the better units in the league this season. They are currently 9th in the NBA in points allowed per game at 111.2. In terms of field goal percentage allowed, they are 10th in the league at 46.7%.

One area where Philadelphia has been particularly good is defending the three-point line. They are 6th in the league in three-point shooting percentage allowed at 35.3%. On the season, opponents have made fewer threes than their season average in 67.1% of games vs. the 76ers.

When it comes to steals, Philadelphia is 3rd in the NBA at 8.5 per game. They are also 5th in blocked shots at 6 per game. In terms of fouls, they are 4th in the league.

Betting Trends

• New York has played well in their previous 5 road games, going 4-1 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 115 points per game while allowing 110. The team also performed well vs the spread at 4-1.
• Across their last three home contests, Philadelphia has a 2-1 record vs the spread. Their overall mark in these games was 1-2, while averaging 105 points per game.
• As the betting underdog, the Knicks have an ATS record of 2-1 in their last three games. In these matchups their, straight up record was 2-1.
• In their last three contests as the favorite, Philadelphia has a poor record vs the spread going 1-2. But they still put together a straight up mark of 2-1.

Joe”s Pick To Cover The Spread

Tyrese Maxey and the 76ers pulled out a miraculous win in game five to keep their season alive, as the Knicks looked to have things wrapped up, but Maxey came up with some huge shots down the stretch. I see this one going to a game seven and see the Sixers carrying some momentum into tonight’s game. Look for Philadelphia to win this one and cover at -3.5 on their home floor.