No one would argue that the Philadelphia 76ers have way more talent than the New York Knicks, who are one of the NBA’s worst teams. Not a single Knick would likely crack the current starting five of the Sixers. Yet, go look at each team’s road record. They are identical at 9-21. The difference being that the Knicks are absolutely horrible at home and the 76ers are essentially invincible in their own gym.

Because this is the second of a back-to-back for both, it’s possible a player or two on each side sits it out.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

This wraps up the season series between the Atlantic Division rivals, and Philadelphia is going for its third straight season sweep. The Knicks have been competitive in all three this year, though, losing by five, six and three points.

Embiid has played in two of the three and is averaging 25.0 points, 14.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks, but he probably won’t be out there Thursday. Ben Simmons is putting up 18.0 points, 9.7 assists and 6.3 rebounds in the series. However, he’s currently out injured with some lower-back issues. Marcus Morris leads the Knicks in averaging 20.7 ppg vs. the Knicks but has since been traded to the Clippers. Canadian rookie RJ Barrett has played in two of the games and averaging 13.0 ppg and 5.0 rebounds.

The Knicks are 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The under is 15-5 in the past 20 in Philadelphia.

New York Knicks

New York lost its fifth in a row Wednesday, 107-101 in Charlotte. Down as much as 15 in the second half, the Knicks couldn’t get closer than two. Allonzo Trier had a chance to tie the game with 1:12 remaining but missed an open 3-pointer. Barrett struggled, hitting 2-for-11 for five points and with some lapses on defence. Barrett was benched in the fourth quarter and replaced by Trier, who had fallen out of the rotation.

Starting point guard Elfrid Payton returned from a two-game injury absence and had six points and nine assists. Young centre Mitchell Robinson had 12 points and a season-high 16 rebounds. He has a bright future. Julius Randle had 18 points and nine rebounds. The Knicks are 0-3-1 ATS in their past four in the second of a back-to-back.

Philadelphia 76ers

The Sixers are anxiously awaiting an MRI on Embiid’s shoulder, which he injured in Wednesday’s perplexing 108-94 loss at a bad Cleveland team. The All-Star lasted just eight minutes, leaving after a collision with Ante Zizic. Needless to say, it’s very unlikely Embiid plays Thursday even if the MRI is clean. If it’s something serious, the Sixers are cooked for this season with Simmons already in question.

Even with the Embiid injury, no excuse for the Sixers to never lead against the team with the worst record in the Eastern Conference. Shake Milton, starting for Simmons, was a lone bright spot Wednesday with 20 points, four rebounds and four assists. The Sixers are 8-2 ATS in their past 10 at home.

Who Will Win Knicks vs. 76ers?

Injuries

New York

Mitchell Robinson (C)

Ques Tues Illness - 10 / 03 / 20

Frank Ntilikina (PG)

Prob Sun Ankle - 07 / 03 / 20

Frank Ntilikina (PG)

day-to-day Ankle - 06 / 03 / 20

Kevin Knox II (SF)

Prob Fri Leg - 05 / 03 / 20

Kevin Knox II (SF)

Prob Wed Leg - 03 / 03 / 20

Mitchell Robinson (C)

Prob Fri Hamstring - 03 / 03 / 20

Reggie Bullock (SG)

Prob Wed Illness - 29 / 02 / 20

Taj Gibson (PF)

Prob Sat Back - 27 / 02 / 20

Dennis Smith Jr. (PG)

Prob Tues Concussion - 27 / 02 / 20

Kenny Wooten (SF)

out for season Thumb - 24 / 02 / 20

Philadelphia

Tobias Harris (SF)

day-to-day Head - 23 / 08 / 20

Alec Burks (SG)

Ques Fri Foot - 12 / 08 / 20

Glenn Robinson III (SF)

Early Sept Oblique - 12 / 08 / 20

Tobias Harris (SF)

Prob Wed Ankle - 10 / 08 / 20

Al Horford (C)

Prob Wed Knee - 10 / 08 / 20

Josh Richardson (SG)

Out Tues Rest - 10 / 08 / 20

Furkan Korkmaz (SG)

Ques Sun Finger - 08 / 08 / 20

Kyle O'Quinn (C)

Prob Wed Personal - 03 / 08 / 20

Raul Neto (PG)

Prob Sat Back - 26 / 07 / 20

Glenn Robinson III (SF)

Prob Sun Hip - 26 / 07 / 20

Injuries

New York

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Mitchell Robinson (C)	Ques Tues	Illness - 10 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
Robinson is battling an illness, and it has yet to be determined if he will play Tuesday against the Wizards.
Frank Ntilikina (PG)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 07 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
Ntilikina is expected to suit up for Sunday's matchup against the Pistons despite a sprained right ankle.
Frank Ntilikina (PG)	day-to-day	Ankle - 06 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
Ntilikina left Friday's game with a sprained right ankle, and his return is in question.
Kevin Knox II (SF)	Prob Fri	Leg - 05 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
Knox II is expected to be in Friday's lineup versus the Thunder despite a left leg contusion.
Kevin Knox II (SF)	Prob Wed	Leg - 03 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
Knoxx II is tending to a left leg contusion, but it is anticipated that he will suit up for Wednesday's battle with the Jazz.
Mitchell Robinson (C)	Prob Fri	Hamstring - 03 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
Robinson was absent from the lineup during the previous game with a sore left hamstring, but he will play against the Thunder on Friday.
Reggie Bullock (SG)	Prob Wed	Illness - 29 / 02 / 20	-	-	+ -
Bullock has sat out the previous two games with an illness, but it is projected that he will be available against the Jazz on Wednesday.
Taj Gibson (PF)	Prob Sat	Back - 27 / 02 / 20	-	-	+ -
Gibson was absent from the lineup during the previous game with back spasms, but he is expected to be a participant in Saturday's contest versus the Bulls.
Dennis Smith Jr. (PG)	Prob Tues	Concussion - 27 / 02 / 20	-	-	+ -
Smith Jr. is sidelined due to a concussion, but it is likely that he will return Tuesday against the Wizards.
Kenny Wooten (SF)	out for season	Thumb - 24 / 02 / 20	-	-	+ -
Wooten is projected to miss the remainder of the season due to surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb.

Philadelphia

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Tobias Harris (SF)	day-to-day	Head - 23 / 08 / 20	0-1	0-1	+ -
Harris left Sunday's game due to a head injury, and it is unclear if he will return.
Alec Burks (SG)	Ques Fri	Foot - 12 / 08 / 20	2-4	3-3	+ -
Burks was held out of the previous game due to left foot soreness, and it has yet to be established if he will take the court versus the Rockets on Frdiay.
Glenn Robinson III (SF)	Early Sept	Oblique - 12 / 08 / 20	2-4	3-3	+ -
Robinson III is battling an oblique muscle strain, and he is likely to be out until at least the beginning of September.
Tobias Harris (SF)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 10 / 08 / 20	2-5	4-3	+ -
Harris sat out the last game due to a sore right ankle, but it is anticipated that he will line up against the Raptors on Wednesday.
Al Horford (C)	Prob Wed	Knee - 10 / 08 / 20	2-5	4-3	+ -
Horford missed the previous game with a sore left knee, but it is likely that he will be available Wednesday versus the Raptors.
Josh Richardson (SG)	Out Tues	Rest - 10 / 08 / 20	2-5	4-3	+ -
Richardson will not suit up Tuesday against the Suns due to a day of rest.
Furkan Korkmaz (SG)	Ques Sun	Finger - 08 / 08 / 20	3-5	4-4	+ -
Korkmaz is bothered by a left finger sprain, and his status for Sunday's matchup with the Trail Blazers in unknown.
Kyle O'Quinn (C)	Prob Wed	Personal - 03 / 08 / 20	3-8	6-5	+ -
O'Quinn was held out of the last game after missing a COVID-19 test. It is not expected to affect his status for Wednesday's matchup with the Wizards.
Raul Neto (PG)	Prob Sat	Back - 26 / 07 / 20	3-8	6-5	+ -
Neto is experiencing tightness in his lower back, but it is unlikely to impede his status for Saturday's tilt versus the Pacers.
Glenn Robinson III (SF)	Prob Sun	Hip - 26 / 07 / 20	3-8	6-5	+ -
Robinson III has missed the previous four games due to a left hip pointer, but he is expected to return to action Sunday against the Trail Blazers.