Knicks vs 76ers picks - November 12

We have an intriguing eight-game schedule in the NBA on Tuesday night as the NBA Cup gets underway and the matchups feature a double-header on TNT. It begins with the New York Knicks paying a visit to the Wells Fargo Center for a showdown with the Philadelphia 76ers at 7:30 pm ET. On paper, this should be an Eastern Conference Finals preview – and maybe that is, in fact, the case. Right now, though, New York and Philadelphia are nothing more than two struggling teams. The Knicks come in at 4-5, while the 76ers are saddled with an even worse 2-7 record. Let’s break down the Knicks vs 76ers picks and best bets to make for their showdown on Tuesday night.

Predictions 

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

Pick #2 – New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers Under 217 (-110) 

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

Joel Embiid will return from injury and play for the first time this season on Tuesday. Philadelphia’s best player was initially sidelined by an injury and then served a suspension for a physical altercation with a reporter. The bad news is that the 76ers are five games under .500 without Embiid; the good news is that their oft-injured big man is well-rested and should be ready to storm out of the gates with a big performance. Embiid has torched the Knicks in recent seasons. In one game against them last year he delivered 30 points and 10 rebounds. In three head-to-head matchups during the 2022-23 campaign, Embiid went for 33.7 ppg and 11.0 rpg while averaging 14.7 free-throw attempts (making 11.7).  

Tyrese Maxey remains sidelined by a hamstring issue, but the Sixers are still deeper than the Knicks. New York is without role players Mitchell Robinson, Precious Achiuwa and Cameron Payne, and it wasn’t particularly deep to begin with after trading both Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns. Although Towns has been outstanding so far, fellow newcomer Mikal Bridges has not been able to throw it in the ocean – shooting 31.7 percent from three-point range. Bridges is averaging 15.3 ppg after scoring 26.1 ppg (in 27 games) and 19.6 ppg in his two seasons with the Brooklyn Nets. Playing at home and with Embiid back on the floor, Philadelphia should be able to take care of business. 

PICK #2: Knicks vs 76ers Over 216 (-110)

This total also feels a little low so the Over could be the way to play this one. As mentioned already, Embiid has been red hot when coming up against the Knicks and he should be motivated to put on a show in his first start of the season. The Knicks have found it tough to defend the rim so far this season, ranking 29th in the league in protecting the paint, and that should see Embiid thrive. The 76ers will likely look to play through Embiid and the big man should then be the facilitator for the likes of Paul George and Jared McCain.

Philadelphia hasn’t been great on defense so far this season either, ranking 20th in defensive rating, and will likely have all it can handle against a Knicks team that ranks second in the NBA in offensive rating with Towns scoring 30+ points in each of his last three games. All things considered, this number feels a little too modest and both teams should play there part in going Over.