76ers vs. Knicks NBA Picks: Back New York’s Defense

Kenny Ducey

Last Updated: October 27, 2021 3:42 AM EDT • 1 min 62 sec read. Twitter link Google News Link

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Can the New York Knicks' staunch two-sided attack produce a big win over the Philadelphia 76ers? We dive into Tuesday's matchup with our 76ers vs Knicks picks.

The Knicks enter this game at 2-1, having taken their matchup with the Boston Celtics on opening night in double overtime and splitting a home-and-home with the Orlando Magic. They’re 2-1 against the spread, and come in off the back of a perfect preseason. The Sixers are 2-1 as well with the same ATS record. The major difference between the two teams is the way they’ve played. Philadelphia is 2-1 to the Under, while the Knicks are 3-0 to the Over.

Here are my picks and predictions for Tuesday’s NBA matchup between the 76ers and Knicks (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

76ers vs. Knicks Game Info

Date/Time: Tuesday, October 26, 7:30 p.m. ETTV: TNTLocation: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

76ers vs. Knicks Odds Analysis

The Knicks opened as 1-point favorites and at -118 on the moneyline. With some money coming in on New York, the Knicks are now favored by 1.5 points and will cost you -125 on the moneyline.

The total has also stayed relatively stagnant, opening at 217.5 and being bet down slightly to 217.

76ers vs. Knicks Picks

Knicks moneyline (-125) ????Under 217 (-110) ????

76ers vs. Knicks Predictions

Knicks (-125)

The Knicks have held firm through their first three games of the season. They're 11th in defensive rating and have once again wreaked havoc around the perimeter. What’s different this year has been their interior defense, which has allowed the lowest 2-point field goal percentage. That’s a dilemma for a team that features Joel Embiid in the post.

Philadelphia has allowed over 107.2 points per 100 possessions and has generally not been as strong defensively without PG Ben Simmons in the lineup. This is also going to be a bit of a problem considering the Knicks have shot the most 3-pointers per game of any team in the league.

The Knicks also rank sixth in offensive efficiency and ninth in pace, while the Sixers rank dead last there.

This is just a game I don’t think the Sixers will ever get comfortable in. They don’t like the 3-pointer, shooting the ninth-fewest per game in the league, and the Knicks do. Without a clear way to score inside, I don’t see the 76ers keeping up, especially with their low number of possessions.

Under 217 (-110)

The Sixers are 2-1 to the Under for a reason; they hate shooting the three and have been taking things slower than anyone in the league. With a focus on the interior — a place they shouldn’t have too much fun against this defense — I see Philadelphia coming out sluggish.

Simply put, this is one of the league’s better defenses and this is a Sixers offense that will quickly run out of answers if it can’t drive in for points or give it to Embiid to post up.

Embiid is also questionable on Tuesday due to a knee injury, which further helps the prospects of the Under.

Picks made 10/26/2021 at noon ET.

Written By:
Kenny Ducey

Kenny is a contributor for DraftKings and a former member of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. He's covered Tennis, Football, Basketball, and Baseball dating back to his time at Sports Illustrated. He's based out of New York, where sports have taken a turn for the worst, yet somehow his support for the Jets and Knicks has not wavered in the slightest.