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On Wednesday, at 7:00 p.m. ET, on NBA TV, the New York Knicks will take on the Philadelphia 76ers in the City of the Brotherly Love. The Sixers have the upper hand in this matchup. They’re sitting with a record of 14-8, good for third in the Eastern Conference. They’ve won six of their eight games since acquiring Jimmy Butler from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Knicks have had a tougher time this season. With Kristaps Porzingis still sidelined with a torn ACL he suffered in February, the Knicks have amassed a 7-15 record. The Sixers will be majorly favored in this contest, especially when one takes into account the fact that the Knicks will be playing the second half of a back-to-back (they lost to the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday evening). The Sixers, on the other hand, haven’t played since Sunday.
Featured Pick #1: How many points will be scored total? (Over 230)
The pace in the NBA is way up this season, which has led to higher-scoring games. The Knicks don’t lead the pack in pace – they rank 19th – but the Sixers play at the fourth-fastest pace in the league. They like to get out and run. Ben Simmons is more effective in transition than he is in the halfcourt, and Jimmy Butler thrives there as well. The Sixers should feast upon this Knicks defense and score a ton of points. The Knicks and their below-average offense will have a tougher time scoring, but the good news for New York fans is that this Philadelphia defense has been abysmal. It seems bizarre because they have three elite defenders in Simmons, Butler and Embiid, but the Sixers have ranked 26th of the NBA’s 30 teams in defensive rating since they acquired Butler.
Two poor defenses and a fast pace should equate a high-scoring contest.
Featured Pick #2: How many 3s will be made in the first quarter? (4+)
The Knicks and 76ers average a combined 5.9 3-pointers in first quarters this season, so this feels like a pretty safe bet. Plus, both teams have had subpar defenses as of late, which should lead to more open shots. Jimmy Butler has been lights out from range since being traded to Philly, and JJ Redick is lights out always. Landry Shamet has also shot well from deep in his rookie season and will be brimming with confidence after going a perfect 4-4 from 3-point range in the Sixers’ previous game.
For the Knicks, Tim Hardaway Jr. is a big-time gunner with an eternal green light. The rookie Allonzo Trier has been superb from deep in his debut season, shooting a scorching 45.9 percent. The Knicks have a couple of other players – Trey Burke and Kevin Knox – who also aren’t shy about shooting the rock.
Featured Pick #3: Who will win the game? (76ers by 13+ points)
There’s no getting around it; this should not be a close game. One team is packed with talent and well-rested. The other is a lottery-bound team that will be playing the night after losing a game. Plus, Philly is at home. It would be nice to see a good game, but this has all the makings of a blowout.
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