NBA Playoffs Best Bets (May 6): Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks Picks & Player Props

Outcomes like the one that went down in Game 1 of the Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks series can be troublesome for bettors. Yes, an epic 39-point beatdown can be a sign of things to come. However, a rest disadvantage could have a lot to do with Philadelphia’s lackluster play in the first game of the series.

So, what does all of this mean for Game 2? How should you bet? Let’s take a look at the odds for Game 2, discuss how it could play out, and a few player props to consider Wednesday.

(Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

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NBA Playoffs Best Bets: Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks Odds & Prediction

• Spread: Philadelphia 76ers +10.5 (-110) | New York Knicks -10.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Philadelphia 76ers +350 | New York Knicks -450
• Total: O/U 214.0 (-110/-110)

Odds via bet365

Can These Knicks Be Stopped?

After watching the Knicks destroy the 76ers in Game 1, it is understandable if you just want to put your money on the home team and not think twice about the decision. The game was as lopsided as a 39-point deficit suggests. But one victory does not win a series.

So, is this kind of beatdown something the Knicks can sustain?

The regular season would suggest that it is not. New York and Philadelphia split the regular season series, 2-2, with each team winning on the road. Of the four games, only one was relatively close, with the Knicks beating the 76ers 112-109 in Philly on Jan. 24.

From the four games, there is one major takeaway relevant to this series: Joel Embiid’s impact (UPDATE: Joel Embiid has been ruled out for Game 2). Philadelphia had him available in one win but not the other; it won by 11 with him and by nine without him. As for the Knicks’ wins, the 76ers were competitive in the game Embiid played (112-109), but not in the one without him (138-89).

This implies that the 76ers can be competitive in this series as long as Embiid is available. But that was not the case in Game 1. So, how do we reconcile what we saw in the regular season with what we saw in the first game of the series?

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The Knicks had a top 10 defense during the regular season, but have found a way to take their game to another level over the last four contests. In that span, they were the highest scoring team in the postseason with 129.3 points per game, shot 57.1% from the field and 43.8% from 3-point range, had a defensive rating of 98.3, and held opponents to 95.5 points per game.

No team in the postseason is playing better on either end of the court. It doesn't matter who suits up for the 76ers tonight. The Knicks will win.

My Game 2 Pick: 76ers vs. Knicks

• Knicks -10.5 (-110, bet365)

I can’t find a reason to bet on the 76ers. Yes, they played a solid game against a good Celtics team in the first round. They beat the Knicks in New York twice and were competitive in one of the losses. It is fair to expect them to play better tonight and for the Knicks to regress. But will they?

The answer to that is yes and no. Yes, the 76ers will play a better game tonight, but the Knicks are not going to regress. New York is clicking on all cylinders right now and can do no wrong. Had Game 1 been an isolated event, there would be more of a chance they could regress. But they have been playing at an extremely high level for four consecutive games.

I do not see these guys slowing down anytime soon. It would be unrealistic to expect another blowout win. However, the Knicks have won the last four games by 16+ points. There is no reason to think they’ll fall below that benchmark (or 10.5 points) tonight.

A $50 wager will win $45.45 ($95.45 payout).

NBA Playoffs Best Bets: Knicks vs. 76ers Player Props

Odds via bet365

• OG Anunoby, Over 17.5 Points at -112

Anunoby has been a consistent force for the Knicks on both ends of the court during the postseason. He averaged 16.7 points per game in the regular season and has averaged 21 points per game in the playoffs. Yes, he went over this mark by just .5 points in Game 1, but the 76ers are going to be more concerned with Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns than him. He’s gone over this mark in four of five games against the 76ers this season.

• Paul George, Over 14.5 Points at -135

George averaged 17.3 points per game in the regular season and has averaged 17.4 in the playoffs. He had 17 in Game 1 despite just playing 26 minutes and has gone over this total in seven of eight postseason games.  I don’t know why his total is so low. If the 76ers play a similar game, he goes over this total. But if they play a more competitive game as expected, he should easily go over this mark.

• Tyrese Maxey, Over 24.5 Points at -120

Yes, the Knicks play great defense, but did anyone see them holding Maxey to just 13 points? If this game is going to be even a little different than Game 1, Maxey has to get on track. As well as he has played all season, I can’t see him getting shut down in two consecutive games. Maxey went over this total in five of seven games vs. Boston in the first round and in three of four regular-season games vs. the Knicks. He’ll go over it tonight.