Madison Square Garden should be electric Tuesday as the defending champion New York Knicks raise their banner and open the season against the NBA’s most fascinating new-look roster.

Philadelphia 76ers now boasts Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James and Joel Embiid in the same starting five, with Anfernee Simons and Dean Wade available off the bench. New York, meanwhile, largely kept together the group that won last year’s title.

The biggest question is whether Philadelphia’s individual matchup advantages can outweigh New York’s familiarity and execution on opening night.

76ers vs. Knicks NBA Betting Odds

The market has moved sharply toward New York, with the spread climbing from Knicks -3.5 to -4.5 on the NBA odds board. The total has also risen from 229.5 to 232.5.

I am going against that move.

Philadelphia should have an advantage getting downhill against a thinner Knicks frontcourt, while New York’s perimeter defenders will have to navigate a constant stream of creators. At 4.5 points, the Sixers have enough margin for some early chemistry problems without needing to win outright.

Philadelphia 76ers

Maxey averaged 28.3 points last season, Brown 28.7 and Embiid 26.9, which gives Philadelphia three proven high-volume scorers before even accounting for James.

The matchup I am most interested in is how New York defends Embiid without Mitchell Robinson. Towns can be pulled into foul trouble or uncomfortable defensive possessions, while Andre Drummond gives the Knicks size but creates different spacing concerns at the other end.

James should spend more time orchestrating than forcing his own offence, allowing Maxey to attack in transition and Brown to hunt mismatches.

Defensively, Philadelphia’s challenge will be containing Brunson while Embiid plays primarily in drop coverage. Brown and Edgecombe will have major responsibilities navigating screens and preventing Brunson from living in the middle of the floor.

New York Knicks

New York’s biggest advantage is that almost everyone already knows where to be.

Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns have championship reps together, and that is important to remember against a Philadelphia group playing its first meaningful game.

The Knicks should try to drag Embiid into repeated pick-and-roll actions, particularly with Brunson and Towns. If Embiid stays deep in coverage, Brunson can work his pull-up game. If Philadelphia brings additional help, Towns can pop to the perimeter and stretch the back side.

The concern is interior depth. Robinson is gone, while Hart is dealing with an ankle issue, potentially reducing New York’s physical edge on the glass and in transition.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win 76ers vs. Knicks?

New York should be cleaner early, but I do not want to lay 4.5 points against this much offensive creation.

Philadelphia can attack the Knicks in several different ways: Maxey with speed, Embiid inside, Brown against switches and James as the playmaker tying everything together.

The Knicks may ultimately win behind Brunson and their home-court advantage, but Philadelphia has enough scoring to answer runs and enough size to prevent New York from controlling the paint.

I’ll take the points and expect a one-possession finish.

76ERS

Away

115

KNICKS

Home

117

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Predictions

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