Can the New York Knicks follow up their opening win?
For the second time in the first round of the playoffs, the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers will face each other! What’s the prediction for this rematch at Madison Square Garden? The hosts prevailed 111-104 in the series opener
The better performance of the bench was a factor in their success. Although they only fielded three players alongside the starting five, the trio contributed no fewer than 42 of the 111 points! Point guard Miles McBride was particularly strong with 21 points.
With this record, he scored the third most points for the home side after Brunson and Hart! For the Knicks’ Game 2 against Philadelphia, the betting tip is on another win for the hosts with at least a five-point difference.
New York Knicks – Statistics & current form
The Knicks would have been a major contender for the title in the postseason, but the loss of Julius Randle has diminished their status. Without the 2021 MIP, the quality of head coach Tom Thibodeau’s squad is lower.
On the other hand, the Knicks have performed strongly for the most part in recent weeks, even without Randle, which is why they can still be described as powerful. Their defense has been particularly impressive this season. Only the Timberwolves from the West conceded fewer opposing baskets per game on average during the regular season
No more than 103 points against the Knicks?
Game 2 between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers and odds of less than 103.5 points by the visitors are worth a recommendation. The four duels during the regular season also speak in favor of this.
In these, the Sixers only scored a maximum of 96 points and averaged just 86.5 points! Admittedly, Joel Embiid, the NBA’s top scorer this season, was also absent from three of these games for Philly
Philadelphia 76ers – Statistics & current form
Coach Nick Nurse’s team only snatched their ticket to the 2024 NBA playoffs via a detour in the play-in tournament. On top of that, the victory against Miami was only by a hair’s breadth with 105:104. However, the return of Joel Embiid is pleasing from the visitors’ perspective.
Shortly before the end of the regular season, the reigning NBA MVP was given the “green light” by the Sixers’ medical department. With “The Process” on board, Philly is now one size bigger again. However, it became clear in the first game of the series that he is not yet fully fit again.
He had to be treated in the meantime and his 29 points are undoubtedly a solid haul, but only average by his standards. In addition, eleven points came from the free throw line alone, while no more than eight of his 22 attempts from the field found their way through the hoop
A maximum of 29 points again by Embiid for the Sixers?
With that in mind, Embiid’s maximum 29 points again in Game 2 against the 76ers is also worth considering. In addition, the Sixers must finally prove that they are ready for the postseason.
Although they have been in the playoffs for six years now, they have not managed to do more than reach the second round. The last time the visitors made the postseason was in 2001, when Philadelphia booked their place in the NBA Finals but were beaten 4-1 by the LA Lakers with an outstanding Shaquille O’Neal.
New York Knicks – Philadelphia 76ers head-to-head / H2H record
Before last weekend’s clash, which ended in a home win for the Knicks, the teams had already faced each other four times this season. All games took place after the turn of the year and New York only failed to prevail once.
On the other hand, the home side’s home record in this fixture is in need of improvement: They have only won four of their past ten home games against the Sixers.
New York Knicks – Philadelphia 76ers betting tip
In the duel between the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 2, the forecast includes another victory for the hosts with at least a five-point difference. The home side proved in the first clash that they have more depth in their squad with a better bench.
For example, they were able to make up for the only partially convincing performance of Jalen Brunson, who only made eight of his 26 attempts from the field. McBride, an in-form point guard, stepped into the breach
He was particularly impressive from downtown, hitting five of his seven shots on target. The forecast is also supported by the fact that Joel Embiid is probably still not completely healthy.
The visitors’ top center had to undergo medical treatment again in the last game, leaving a question mark over his physical condition. Moreover, the hosts’ four wins in this fixture this season have always been by a margin of at least seven points
