The Philadelphia 76ers (14-11) and New York Knicks (19-7) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. EST from Madison Square Garden in New York City. The game will broadcast live on Amazon Prime Video.
The Knicks are 5-point favorites over the Sixers on the spread (Knicks -5), with the over/under set at 229 total points. New York is a -205 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Philadelphia is +165 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my 76ers vs. Knicks predictions and NBA picks for Friday, December 19.
My 76ers vs Knicks Prediction
- 76ers vs Knicks pick: Tyrese Maxey Over 33.5 Points + Assists (-110)
My Knicks vs 76ers best bet is on Tyrese Maxey over 33.5 points and assists, with the best price currently available at bet365. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
76ers vs Knicks Odds
| 76ers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5 -110 | 229 -110o / -110u | +165 |
| Knicks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5 -110 | 229 -110o / -110u | -205 |
76ers vs Knicks NBA Preview
The Knicks sat Karl-Anthony Towns, Mitchell Robinson and Josh Hart last night, and still outlasted the Pacers 114-113 in Indiana, thanks to some late-game Jalen Brunson heroics.
As of this writing, it's unknown if they'll sit others on the second of the back-to-back while playing the trio who sat on Thursday, but it's something to watch as they return to Madison Square Garden, where they've been dominant all year.
The Knicks are an Eastern Conference-best 13-1 at home this season.
Philly is 6-4 on the road, but including the NBA Cup Final, the Knicks have won seven straight and have lost just once since November 22.
Philly has won 4-of-6, and has been resting since Sunday. The Knicks have played twice since.
On the injury report, Robinson (ankle), Hart (abdomen), and Towns (knee) all sat, with what felt precautionary. Robinson, in particular, doesn't play back-to-backs.
Deuce McBride (ankle) and Landry Shamet (shoulder) are expected to sit. Other potential rest spots are to be determined.
For Philly, you always need to monitor Joel Embiid, and he's questionable with an illness.
Kelly Oubre (knee), Trendon Watford (thigh), and Hunter Sallis (shoulder) are all out.
76ers vs Knicks Prediction, Betting Analysis
You haven't gotten this line often, and there's reason to be hesitant, but I like Tyrese Maxey here.
One area you could consistently hurt the Knicks is on the perimeter, especially if you could break down a defense. Jalen Brunson played last night, and coming off the NBA Cup, he might not be a guarantee to play, but this is independent of it because he's not exactly Davion Mitchell defensively.
Embiid is questionable but could actually play for the 76ers. Paul George and VJ Edgecombe aren't on the injury report, and yet, this line is just a touch low to me.
Maxey has gone over this in the two games he has played with both Embiid and George, including November 30, when he had 44 points and 9 assists, and December 7, when he had 28 and 9.
In general, he's over this in 4-of-5 and in 5-of-7 against the Knicks, including the 2024 playoffs.
Maxey does really well in this match-up historically, and Embiid — if he plays — will likely be held to 30-32 minutes at most. He hasn't crossed 32 this year, and in his streak of playing three straight games for the first time since February, he's been in that range for all three.
I think Maxey should be Embiid and George-proof, given that he should have the best pathway to points and assists from a defensive standpoint, building on what the Spurs guards did in the Cup, followed by Andrew Nembhard's 31 and 4 last night.
Pick: Tyrese Maxey Over 33.5 Points + Assists (-110, bet365)
