New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers Game 3 Prediction, NBA Playoff Odds
It wasn’t a blowout this time, but the Knicks still got the result they wanted.
New York got 26 points and 6 assists from Jalen Brunson and held Philadelphia to 12 points in the fourth quarter as the Knicks defeated the Joel Embiid-less 76ers, 108-102, to take a 2-0 lead in their Best-of-7 Eastern Conference semifinal series.
The teams head to Philly for Game 3 on Friday night at 7 p.m. ET.
OG Anunoby had 24 points before leaving the game late, Karl-Anthony Towns had 20 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, and Mikal Bridges added 18 points as the Knicks shot 51 per cent (40-for-79) from the field.
Tyrese Maxey had 26 points and six assists to pace the Sixers, but he also had six turnovers as the team struggled all night with giveaways.
Embiid’s status hangs over Philly’s chances at a second straight series comeback.
Knicks vs. 76ers NBA Betting Odds
New York is a slight 1-point favourite on the NBA odds forFriday night. The moneylines for both teams are -110. The over/under sits at 213.5 points.
New York easily covered in a Game 1 blowout that went to the over, but Philadelphia covered as 10.5-point dogs Wednesday night in a game that went to the under. Joel Embiid’s return is sure to have a positive impact for the Sixers, just like we saw against Boston, but it awaits to be seen if they can slow down this red-hot Knicks team.
New York Knicks
Brunson and the Knicks’ defence got the job done in Game 2, but there are certainly concerns heading to Philly.
Anunoby is averaging 21 points in this series and 21.4 points in the postseason, but he did leave the bench late in the game with an apparent leg injury. It may be nothing, but his status is worth paying attention to.
Josh Hart had five points, seven rebounds, and six assists, but he also left the game. Hart departed in the third quarter with a left-hand or wrist injury.
The Knicks only shot 27 per cent (7-for-26) from beyond the arc in Game 2, but since they don’t take 100 threes a game like Boston does, the Sixers can’t count on a cold streak from long range aiding their cause.
New York is 4-1 against the spread in its last five games overall, and 6-0 ATS in its last six games in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia 76ers
It was a valiant effort on Wednesday, but Philly has no chance of coming back and advancing without Embiid.
Naysayers will point to a slower tempo with him in the lineup, but look no further than the Boston series. Embiid missed the first three games, but returned in Game 4 and averaged 28 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists as the Sixers won three of the last four games to pull off the upset.
He only had 14 points and four rebounds in Game 1’s blowout, but Embiid’s presence is necessary. Paul George had 19 points and six rebounds, Kelly Oubre Jr. added 19 points, and VJ Edgecombe chipped in with 17 points, but without Embiid, Philadelphia may be lucky to steal one game in the series.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Knicks vs. 76ers Game 3?
The Sixers are 1-point dogs, suggesting Embiid may be able to play. He had 38 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists in a 112-109 loss at home to the Knicks in the regular season.
Philly dropped both home games against New York this year. The Sixers went 21-23 without Embiid during the regular season, and are now 1-3 without him in the playoffs. They just aren’t the same without him in the lineup.
Even if he does play, look for New York to press the advantage and take a 114-109 victory on the road to go up 3-0 in this series.
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