Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks Game 2 Prediction, NBA Odds
The Philadelphia 76ers had the basketball world talking on Saturday night when they completed a dramatic series comeback in Boston against the Celtics, taking Game 7 after trailing 3-1. How quickly things can change in May when you’re on to the next round. On Monday night, the New York Knicks stole all the headlines back from Philly and now dominate the conversation heading into Game 2 at Madison Square Garden.
After their record-setting 51-point win over the Hawks to close out the series in Game 6 of the first round, the Knicks took Game 1 137-98 against the 76ers, which set the franchise record at home for the largest margin of victory in the playoffs. On top of that, the Knicks made NBA history by becoming the first playoff team to win three consecutive games by 25+ points.
The Knicks are sitting as 6.5-point favourites on the NBA odds board for Game 2.
76ers vs. Knicks NBA Betting Odds
It’s funny, the Knicks lost both meetings with the 76ers at home in the regular season, by 9 and by 11, and then they get the fully healthy 76ers at home to begin round two, and win by 39.
The area to watch in Game 2 is how the 76ers guard the perimeter. The Knicks are shooting a blistering 40.2% from deep in seven postseason games, and the 76ers rank dead last among all playoff teams in three-point attempts allowed, and are tied with Cleveland among teams remaining in three-point defence percentage (35.6%).
Philadelphia 76ers
Well, at least the 76ers will be rested for Game 2. With the quick turnaround after their grueling seven-game series with Boston, most people assumed Game 1 would be a throwaway for the 76ers, and while the Knicks certainly came out, played hard and executed to the fullest, it’s hard to dispute that this wasn’t exactly that, a throwaway, for Philly.
But again, the starters only logged 25-27 minutes, which could be important in the long run in this series. Joel Embiid clearly didn’t look 100%, and there was skepticism after Tyrese Maxey fell into his knee at the very end of Game 7, and then it appeared Embiid aggravated it again early in Game 1. Embiid finished Game 1 just 3-for-11 from the field with 14 points and four rebounds.
After igniting the 76ers in round one, averaging 28 PPG, 9 REB and 7 AST in four games vs Boston, if the 76ers don’t have a fully healthy and active Embiid, forget about it.
How he looks in Game 2 will tell us a lot about where this series is heading.
New York Knicks
The Knicks really are firing on all cylinders. New York has now won the three-point battle and the points in the paint battle in six of their seven postseason games during this run, and they have won the rebound battle in all seven games.
Jalen Brunson was terrific in the Hawks series, being the star he is billed as, scoring 26.3 PPG on 46.8% from the field and 37.8% from deep. In Game 1 against Philly, he went off for 35 points on 12-of-18 shooting and a perfect 8-for-8 from the foul line.
Second-in-command hasn’t even been Karl Anthony-Towns. Instead, the guy who has stepped into a different stratosphere, being the Robin to Brunson’s Batman, has been wing OG Anunoby. Anunoby posted 21.5 PPG against Atlanta on 61.1% from the field and 56.7% from deep. In Game 1 against Philly, he went for 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win 76ers vs. Knicks?
The 76ers rank last in the playoff among remaining teams in defensive rating and have been torched from beyond the arc. Only the Thunder are playing better on both ends of the floor than the Knicks, who have been shooting the lights out.
The Knicks are on fire, are playing at home and Embiid doesn’t appear 100%. Until the Knicks cool off, I can’t take anything other than another cover at home.
PHI
NY