Philadelphia 76ers vs New York Knicks Picks and Predictions November 12th 2024

76ers vs Knicks November 12th 2024

At 7:30 ET, the 2-7 Philadelphia 76ers will host the 4-5 New York Knicks in an Eastern Atlantic division matchup. The Knicks are currently favored by 1 point, and the over/under line is set at 215.5.

This game will be played at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia and can be seen on TNT.

Knicks vs. 76ers Key Information

The Knicks fell to 4-5 on the season after a 132-121 road loss to the Pacers on Sunday. New York, favored by 3.5 points, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The game’s total points of 253.5 exceeded the O/U line of 229.5 by 23.5 points.

New York appeared to take control with a 10-0 run, turning a 67-65 deficit into a 75-67 lead. They led 94-92 going into the 4th quarter but were outscored 40-27 in the final period.

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 33 points and 10 assists, shooting 64.7% from the field in their loss to the Pacers. Karl-Anthony Towns added 30 points and 9 rebounds, while OG Anunoby contributed 25 points, hitting 3 threes at a 75% clip.

The Knicks shot 55.4% from the field but struggled from beyond the arc, making just 7 threes at 28%. Brunson scored 12 points in the 4th quarter, while Towns added 9 in the final frame.

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The Knicks struggled defensively on Sunday, allowing 132 points to the Pacers. They gave up 29 points in both the 1st and 2nd quarters before allowing 34 in the 3rd and 40 in the 4th. Indiana shot 51% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Pacers hit 21 threes at a 45% clip. Indiana also went 21/25 from the free-throw line. The Knicks grabbed 31 defensive rebounds, allowed 5 offensive boards, and recorded 5 steals.

Philadelphia improved to 2-7 on the season with a 107-105 win over the Hornets on Sunday. The 76ers were favored by five points at home but didn’t cover the spread, and the game’s total of 212 points fell just short of the 213-point over/under line.

After an 11-0 run stretched their lead from 73-66 to 84-66, the 76ers appeared in control. However, Charlotte fought back in the 4th quarter, outscoring Philadelphia 31-21, but the 76ers held on for the win.

Jared McCain led the 76ers to a win over the Hornets, scoring 27 points and hitting 3 threes at 37.5% efficiency. Guerschon Yabusele added 20 points, shooting 50% from deep, while Paul George contributed 15 points despite shooting just 33.3% from the field.

As a team, the 76ers made only 9 threes, shooting 27.3% from beyond the arc. Overall, they shot 46.4% from the field. McCain was key in the 4th quarter, scoring 11 points, while Yabusele added 12 points in the 3rd.

The 76ers put together a strong defensive performance, holding the Hornets to 105 points on 37% shooting. Philadelphia was especially effective in the 1st and 3rd quarters, giving up just 15 and 21 points, respectively. However, they allowed 31 points in the 4th quarter.

From beyond the arc, the 76ers limited the Hornets to 14 made threes on 25% shooting. Philadelphia also recorded 8 steals and 1 block in the game.

Coming in as the underdogs at +1, we have the 76ers as the way to go on the point spread. Not only do we have them covering, but our projections show they have a good one of winning this one straight-up, if you’re looking for a higher payout on the moneyline.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 215.5 and our model has the Knicks and 76ers finishing with a combined 260 points. Our pick is to take the over.

Embiid Set to Return as 76ers Face Knicks in NBA Cup Showdown

The Philadelphia 76ers are gearing up for a boost as Joel Embiid makes his much-anticipated season debut on Tuesday night against the struggling New York Knicks. This game is part of the NBA Cup, where both teams will be looking to gain momentum in East Group A, which also includes the Brooklyn Nets, Orlando Magic, and Charlotte Hornets.

Embiid’s Return Could Be the Spark Philadelphia Needs

The 76ers have been struggling to find their rhythm early in the season, plagued by injuries and absences. Joel Embiid missed the entire preseason and the first nine games of the regular season, initially due to left knee soreness and later serving a three-game suspension for an altercation with a reporter. His return is expected to be a game-changer for Philadelphia.

Paul George, who has also dealt with injuries, noted the significance of Embiid’s return: “You get somebody back like (Embiid), it’ll make everybody’s job a little easier.” The Sixers managed to snap a five-game losing streak on Sunday, narrowly escaping with a 107-105 overtime win against the Charlotte Hornets after blowing a 16-point fourth-quarter lead.

Last season, Embiid was nothing short of dominant, averaging a career-high 34.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, and showcasing impressive shooting efficiency—52.9% from the field, 38.8% from three, and 88.3% from the free-throw line. He also posted career highs in assists (5.6) and steals (1.2).

George emphasized Embiid’s importance to the team, calling him the “missing piece.” With Tyrese Maxey sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Embiid’s return comes at a critical time for the Sixers.

Revenge Game Against the Knicks

Embiid’s first game back will be against a familiar foe. The Knicks eliminated the 76ers in the first round of last season’s playoffs, with Jalen Brunson putting on a clinic by averaging 35.5 points and 9.0 assists in the series. Josh Hart was also a key factor, contributing across the board with 16.8 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game.

Embiid did his part in that series, averaging 33.0 points and 10.8 rebounds, while Maxey added 29.8 points per game. However, Philadelphia fell short, and they’ll be eager to exact some revenge as they kick off their NBA Cup journey.

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Knicks Struggling to Find Consistency

The Knicks, on the other hand, are trying to shake off a rough start to the season. They’ve lost three of their last four games, including disappointing double-digit losses to the Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers. In their most recent game, a 132-121 defeat to Indiana, the Knicks were undone by their poor perimeter defense, allowing the Pacers to go 21-of-46 from beyond the arc.

Coach Tom Thibodeau was critical of the team’s defensive lapses: “We gave up way too much. Didn’t cover the (3-point) line. We gotta fix it, and we gotta fix it fast.”

Offensively, Jalen Brunson and new acquisition Karl-Anthony Towns were the bright spots for the Knicks in that loss, scoring 33 and 30 points respectively. However, New York struggled from deep, going just 7-of-25 from three-point range.

Key Matchups to Watch

1. Joel Embiid vs. Knicks’ Defense: Embiid’s return could spell trouble for a Knicks team that’s been vulnerable defensively. His presence in the paint and ability to stretch the floor will challenge New York’s interior defense.
2. Perimeter Battle: The Knicks’ struggles to defend the three-point line could be exploited by the Sixers, especially if George finds his range. On the flip side, Philadelphia will need to contain Jalen Brunson, who’s been a scoring machine for New York.
3. Depth and Adjustments: With Tyrese Maxey sidelined, it will be interesting to see how the 76ers adjust their rotations. Meanwhile, the Knicks will need to tighten up defensively if they hope to compete against a reinvigorated Sixers squad.

Can the Sixers Regain Momentum?

Philadelphia’s slow start has been frustrating, but the return of Embiid could mark a turning point. For the Knicks, this game represents an opportunity to snap out of their funk and prove they can compete with the top teams in the conference.

Will Embiid’s return lift the Sixers to a statement win in their NBA Cup opener, or will the resilient Knicks spoil his comeback? Either way, this game is shaping up to be an exciting showdown between two Eastern Conference rivals looking to find their groove.