The New York Knicks host the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night, tipping off at 7:00 PM ET. The Knicks (37-20) are third in the Eastern Conference, while the struggling 76ers (20-37) sit in 12th place. Both teams are looking to snap losing streaks, with New York dropping its last two games and Philadelphia on an eight-game skid.
New York has struggled against the top-tier teams this season, including a 118-105 loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday. Philadelphia’s most recent defeat was a 142-110 blowout at the hands of the Chicago Bulls on Monday, where the 76ers trailed by as many as 50 points. The Knicks lead the season series 2-0, including a 125-119 overtime win in Philadelphia on January 15, 2025.
New York Knicks Preview – Knicks Seek to Bounce Back at The Garden
The Knicks are looking to solidify their hold on a top-three seed in the Eastern Conference. Despite their strong record, New York has struggled against the NBA’s best teams, going 0-7 against the league’s top three. Their average margin of defeat in those games is over 20 points, highlighting a gap against elite competition.
In their latest outing, the Knicks showed some resilience against the Celtics, trimming a 27-point deficit to just four in the third quarter before ultimately falling short. Jalen Brunson led the way with 22 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns posted a strong double-double with 24 points and 18 rebounds. Josh Hart added 20 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists, nearly securing a triple-double.
The Knicks will need their key players to step up against Philadelphia. With injuries to Mitchell Robinson (ankle) and OG Anunoby (foot), New York’s depth will be tested. However, their solid home record (20-10) and the 76ers’ poor form present an opportunity to get back on track.
Philadelphia 76ers Preview – Can the 76ers Stop the Bleeding?
The 76ers are in freefall, having lost eight straight games and slipping further out of the play-in tournament picture. Injuries continue to plague Philadelphia, with star center Joel Embiid (knee) and key contributors such as Kyle Lowry (hip) and Eric Gordon (wrist) sidelined.
Philadelphia has struggled without Embiid, going 12-26 in games he has missed this season. Even when their “big three” of Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey play together, the team is just 7-6. In Monday’s blowout loss to Chicago, Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr. each scored 19 points, but the 76ers’ defense was non-existent, allowing the Bulls to score 142 points.
The 76ers rank 26th in the league in points per game (108.9) and have the worst defense in the NBA, giving up 113.5 points per game. If Philadelphia wants to avoid a ninth straight loss, they will need to find defensive consistency and more offensive production from their depleted roster.
Betting Prediction
With the Knicks playing at home and the 76ers struggling mightily, New York is a heavy favorite. The spread is likely around -10 in favor of the Knicks, with an over/under near 221 points. Expect New York to control this game from start to finish, leveraging their strong home court and Philadelphia’s ongoing struggles.
Predicted score: New York 118, Philadelphia 100. The Knicks should cover the spread comfortably, and the total points may lean towards the under if the 76ers continue to struggle offensively without Embiid.
Pick: New York Knicks -10
