76ers vs Knicks NBA Playoffs Game 2 Picks

76ers vs Knicks NBA Playoffs Game 2 Picks

Game 2 of this Eastern Conference Semifinal stays under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden tonight, with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 PM ET on ESPN. While Philadelphia is looking to prove that their 39-point Game 1 loss was just a schedule hangover, the Knicks are looking to extend a historic stretch of dominance that has rewound the clock to the glory days of New York basketball.

76ers vs Knicks Game 2 Predictions

Pick #1: New York Knicks -7 over Philadelphia 76ers (-110)

Pick #2: Over 215 (-110)

Pick #3: OG Anunoby Over 17.5 Points (-110)

PICK #1: Knicks -7 over 76ers (-110)

The New York Knicks are removing hope from their opponent recently. By dismantling Philly 137-98 in the series opener, New York became the first team in NBA history to win three consecutive playoff games by 25 points or more. The fatigue narrative for the 76ers is real, as they come off a grueling seven-game set against the Celtics, but even with extra rest, the matchup problems haven't gone away.

The biggest red flag is Joel Embiid’s health. The MVP looked like a shell of himself in Game 1, shooting just 3-for-11. When Embiid isn't a threat to gravity-well the defense into the paint or force a big man to step out, the Sixers' offense becomes extremely dependent on perimeter guard play. 

New York has won the rebounding battle in all seven of their postseason games and has out-muscled every frontcourt they’ve faced. Until Philadelphia proves they can stop the bleeding on the glass and guard the perimeter against the Knicks torrid shooting, New York is the only side of the spread worth playing.

PICK #2: Over 215 (-110)

This total feels a few points too low given the recent data. The Knicks currently boast the second-best defensive rating in the playoffs, but don’t let that fool you into thinking they are playing a slow, grinding style. New York is actually playing at the third-fastest pace of all remaining teams. They are getting stops and immediately hunting transition looks or early-clock threes.

New York is shooting a blistering 40.2% from beyond the arc in the postseason. On the other side, Philadelphia’s stars should be much more productive with an extra day of recovery. Tyrese Maxey and a (hopefully) more active Embiid will push for a more complete offensive effort to avoid another blowout. With Philly ranking last among remaining teams in defensive rating, the Knicks should have no problem clearing 110 points again, leaving a low bar for the Sixers to help push this over the 215 mark.

PICK #3: OG Anunoby Over 17.5 Points (-110)

While Jalen Brunson is the undisputed Batman of this Broadway show, OG Anunoby has turned into an elite Robin. Anunoby has entered a different stratosphere since the playoffs began, averaging 21.5 PPG in the first round against Atlanta on absurd 61.1% shooting. He followed that up with an efficient 18-point outing in Game 1 against Philly, missing only one shot the entire night.

The 76ers are currently struggling with a defensive identity crisis. They rank dead last in three-point attempts allowed, often over-helping on Brunson’s drives and leaving the corners vacant. Anunoby is the primary beneficiary of that collapse. Given his efficiency and the fact that he is playing heavy minutes as the primary defensive stopper on the other end, 17.5 points is a bargain for a player who is currently a focal point of the Knicks' half-court set.