Philadelphia 76ers vs New York Knicks Prediction and Betting Tips: Two bets for the Series

The Philadelphia 76ers navigated a tricky play-in clash with the Miami Heat to reach the playoffs, winning by just one point on Thursday and their prize is a best-of-seven series with the New York Knicks, who finished second in the NBA’s Eastern Conference with a 50-32 record. 

The series begins on Saturday night and there could be very little to split the pair. 

The Knicks won three of the four regular season meetings, but Joel Embiid missed three of those clashes and the big man is back for the postseason. 

The 76ers almost definitely would not have had to face the lottery of the play-in if star man Embiid had stayed fit all season. Prior to his injury, Philly were flying in the East but struggled without their franchise player. 

However, the 76ers won 30 of the 37 games when he and young star Tyrese Maxey were on the court together and with the pair reunited for the postseason, they pose a real threat in the Eastern Conference. 

New York’s chances will lie heavily on the shoulders of Jalen Brunson, who enjoyed an excellent regular season.

However, Philly holds the pieces to frustrate the Knicks guard, as shown in the clashes this term. 

Brunson averaged 28.7 points and made 48 percent of his shots this season, but against Philadelphia those numbers drop to 22.3 and 40 per cent, suggesting the 76ers may have enough to nullify the threat of New York’s star man.  

To further support Philly’s chances, their head coach Nick Nurse is an expert in the playoffs, having won the 2019 Championship with the Toronto Raptors, and his knowledge of the postseason could provide the edge in a clash with Tom Thibodeau, whose record in these situations pales in comparison. 

Thibodeau’s playoff record is 31-41 and his sides have been bounced in the first round in half of his eight postseason appearances as a head coach, suggesting Nurse may have the nous to edge past his old foe.

While the 76ers may edge the series eventually, the Knicks having home advantage is likely to make things extremely interesting and the showdown could go the distance as a result, with the 76ers catching the eye at 5/1 for a 4-3 series win.

New York were 27-14 at Madison Square Garden in the regular season and there is every chance they win the majority of their home ties in this series. 

Slight preference remains with Philly though, who have won their last nine games, which suggests they may be able to nick an away win in the Big Apple, making the 5/1 about a 4-3 76ers series win an appealing price. 

The Knicks went 20-3 in games which OG Anunoby played in and he is an elite defender. With Brunson in offence and Anunoby stifling Philly’s stars, the Knicks will have enough to push this to seven games.

However, the firepower of Maxey, Embiid and Tobias Harris should see the 76ers over the line, just.