The Philadelphia 76ers are flying high right now. As for New York, they were on an eight-game winning streak before suffering back-to-back losses. Can they get back on track and send the Sixers a message on Christmas Day?

76ers vs. Knicks NBA Betting Odds

The 76ers are 6-1 ATS in their past seven games overall and have covered five straight Sunday games. However, they are just 2-5 ATS in their last seven games played on the road. As for the total, the under has hit in 14 out of their last 16 games when going up against a team with a winning record on the year. 

The Knicks, on the other hand, have covered five straight against teams with a winning percentage over .600 on the season. They are also 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games overall and 6-1 ATS in their last seven when getting one day of rest. Their total has seen the under cash in eight out of their last 11 games overall and their last four against teams with a winning percentage over .600. 

Philadelphia 76ers

In the last 10 games played, superstar center Joel Embiid has been on a tear. He’s averaging 34.3 points per game in that span along with 9.6 rebounds. As impressive as those numbers, they aren’t far off his regular season averages of 33.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game, which is why he’s among the frontrunners for MVP. 

What’s working for this team right now is their defense. We know that between Embiid, James Harden and others, they have the offensive weapons. However, their defense has tightened the screws, giving up jus 105.0 points per game over their last six outings. That’s actually slightly worse than their season average as they’re currently second in the NBA in points allowed per game at 104.9. 

New York Knicks

New York was sunk by a last-second jump shot by Demar DeRozan in their loss to the Chicago Bulls on Friday night.  The defeat wiped away what was an amazing performance by youngster RJ Barrett. Barrett dropped a season-high 44 points on the night with Julius Randle adding 29 points and 12 rebounds. The Knicks would have likely won if it weren’t for two missed free throws by Jalen Brunson with six seconds left in the game. Other than the missed field goals, when these guys play like this, New York is very tough to beat. 

The Knicks will need a lot of production out of their trio of Brunson, Randle, and Barrett if they want to win this game but they need more from their defense. They’ve allowed 113 or more in six of their last seven losses. However, they only allowed opponents to hit that number once during their eight-game winning streak. It’s pretty clear their chance of winning improve when they keep their opponents from hitting that mark.

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

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

76ers Team Leaders

PHI

Points	Joel Embiid 33.08
Assists	James Harden 10.66
Rebounds	Joel Embiid 10.15
FG%	Saben Lee 75
Steals	De'Anthony Melton 1.64
Blocks	Joel Embiid 1.7

NY

Points	Julius Randle 25.14
Assists	Jalen Brunson 6.19
Rebounds	Julius Randle 9.96
FG%	Jericho Sims 77.6
Steals	Josh Hart 1.36
Blocks	Mitchell Robinson 1.85

PHI

Points	Joel Embiid 23.67
Assists	James Harden 8.27
Rebounds	Joel Embiid 9.78
FG%	Jaden Springer 100
Steals	James Harden 1.82
Blocks	Joel Embiid 2.78

NY

Points	Jalen Brunson 27.82
Assists	Jalen Brunson 5.64
Rebounds	Mitchell Robinson 9.27
FG%	Mitchell Robinson 60.4
Steals	Jalen Brunson 1.45
Blocks	Mitchell Robinson 1.45

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Knicks Team Leaders

PHI

Points	Joel Embiid 33.08
Assists	James Harden 10.66
Rebounds	Joel Embiid 10.15
FG%	Saben Lee 75
Steals	De'Anthony Melton 1.64
Blocks	Joel Embiid 1.7

NY

Points	Julius Randle 25.14
Assists	Jalen Brunson 6.19
Rebounds	Julius Randle 9.96
FG%	Jericho Sims 77.6
Steals	Josh Hart 1.36
Blocks	Mitchell Robinson 1.85

PHI

Points	Joel Embiid 23.67
Assists	James Harden 8.27
Rebounds	Joel Embiid 9.78
FG%	Jaden Springer 100
Steals	James Harden 1.82
Blocks	Joel Embiid 2.78

NY

Points	Jalen Brunson 27.82
Assists	Jalen Brunson 5.64
Rebounds	Mitchell Robinson 9.27
FG%	Mitchell Robinson 60.4
Steals	Jalen Brunson 1.45
Blocks	Mitchell Robinson 1.45

Injuries

Philadelphia

Tyrese Maxey (PG)

day-to-day Ankle - 01 / 05 / 23

Danuel House Jr. (SF)

Prob Mon Illness - 20 / 04 / 23

Jalen McDaniels (PF)

Prob Thurs Illness - 19 / 04 / 23

Dewayne Dedmon (C)

Prob Sat Undisclosed - 14 / 04 / 23

Danuel House Jr. (SF)

Prob Sat Foot - 12 / 04 / 23

James Harden (SG)

Prob Sat Achilles - 08 / 04 / 23

Tobias Harris (SF)

Prob Sat Hip - 08 / 04 / 23

Georges Niang (SF)

Prob Sat Knee - 08 / 04 / 23

James Harden (SG)

Out Fri Rest - 07 / 04 / 23

Tobias Harris (SF)

Out Fri Rest - 07 / 04 / 23

New York

Evan Fournier (SG)

Prob Fri Illness - 10 / 05 / 23

Immanuel Quickley (SG)

Doub Fri Ankle - 06 / 05 / 23

Jalen Brunson (PG)

Prob Sat Ankle - 04 / 05 / 23

Jalen Brunson (PG)

Ques Tues Ankle - 01 / 05 / 23

Jericho Sims (C)

out for season Shoulder - 21 / 04 / 23

Josh Hart (SG)

Ques Tues Ankle - 17 / 04 / 23

Isaiah Roby (SF)

Out indefinitely Ankle - 14 / 04 / 23

Trevor Keels (SG)

Out indefinitely Illness - 09 / 04 / 23

Jalen Brunson (PG)

Ques Sat Hand - 08 / 04 / 23

Mitchell Robinson (C)

Out Fri Rest - 07 / 04 / 23

Injuries

Philadelphia

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Tyrese Maxey (PG)	day-to-day	Ankle - 01 / 05 / 23	4-3	4-3	+ -
Maxey exited Monday's game with an ankle injury, and it is unknown if he will return.
Danuel House Jr. (SF)	Prob Mon	Illness - 20 / 04 / 23	5-3	4-5	+ -
House Jr. is ailing from an illness, but it is anticipated that he will suit up against the Celtics Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Jalen McDaniels (PF)	Prob Thurs	Illness - 19 / 04 / 23	5-3	4-5	+ -
McDaniels is nursing an illness, but it is not expected to affect his status against the Nets in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Dewayne Dedmon (C)	Prob Sat	Undisclosed - 14 / 04 / 23	7-3	6-5	+ -
Dedmon has an unspecified ailment, but it is projected that he will participate in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets.
Danuel House Jr. (SF)	Prob Sat	Foot - 12 / 04 / 23	7-3	6-5	+ -
House Jr. has a foot injury, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Nets in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
James Harden (SG)	Prob Sat	Achilles - 08 / 04 / 23	8-3	7-5	+ -
Harden is managing a left Achilles injury, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets.
Tobias Harris (SF)	Prob Sat	Hip - 08 / 04 / 23	8-3	7-5	+ -
Harris is nursing a left hip injury, but it is expected that he will be in the lineup for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Nets.
Georges Niang (SF)	Prob Sat	Knee - 08 / 04 / 23	8-3	7-5	+ -
Niang is tending to left knee soreness, but it is likely that he will partake in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets.
James Harden (SG)	Out Fri	Rest - 07 / 04 / 23	8-4	8-5	+ -
Harden will not face the Hawks on Friday as he will be given a day of rest.
Tobias Harris (SF)	Out Fri	Rest - 07 / 04 / 23	8-4	8-5	+ -
Harris is out of the starting lineup for Friday's matchup with the Hawks as he will be handed a day of rest.

New York

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Evan Fournier (SG)	Prob Fri	Illness - 10 / 05 / 23	1-1	2-0	+ -
Fournier is tending to an illness, but it is anticipated that he will dress for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals versus the Heat.
Immanuel Quickley (SG)	Doub Fri	Ankle - 06 / 05 / 23	1-3	3-1	+ -
Quickly is nursing an ankle sprain, and it is not expected he will dress against the Heat in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Jalen Brunson (PG)	Prob Sat	Ankle - 04 / 05 / 23	1-3	3-1	+ -
Brunson is nursing right ankle soreness, but it is not expected to impact his status against the Heat in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Jalen Brunson (PG)	Ques Tues	Ankle - 01 / 05 / 23	1-4	3-2	+ -
Brunson is dealing with soreness in his right ankle, and it has yet to be announced if he will suit up for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals versus the Heat.
Jericho Sims (C)	out for season	Shoulder - 21 / 04 / 23	4-5	3-6	+ -
Sims is sidelined while recovering from surgery for a right shoulder injury, and he will be out of the lineup for the remainder of the season.
Josh Hart (SG)	Ques Tues	Ankle - 17 / 04 / 23	5-5	3-7	+ -
Hart is nursing a left ankle sprain, leaving his status versus the Cavaliers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round up in the air.
Isaiah Roby (SF)	Out indefinitely	Ankle - 14 / 04 / 23	5-6	4-7	+ -
Roby is out of action due to a right ankle sprain, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Trevor Keels (SG)	Out indefinitely	Illness - 09 / 04 / 23	5-6	4-8	+ -
Keels is sidelined with an illness, and it is unclear how long he will be debilitated.
Jalen Brunson (PG)	Ques Sat	Hand - 08 / 04 / 23	5-6	4-8	+ -
Brunson is managing a right hand injury, and it remains to be seen if he will face the Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Mitchell Robinson (C)	Out Fri	Rest - 07 / 04 / 23	6-6	5-8	+ -
Robinson will not be available for Friday's contest against the Pelicans as he will receive a day of rest.