To put it mildly, the Philadelphia 76ers have had a turbulent start to the season. Joel Embiid, the former MVP, has been out due to injury and was just given a three-game suspension for a confrontation with a reporter. Additionally, they were without Paul George for a while, and Tyrese Maxey, a promising young player, recently sustained a hamstring injury.
In addition to being able to return from his suspension for Tuesday night’s game against the Knicks, Embiid is not on the injury report, which is fantastic news for the Sixers. Against a New York Knicks team that swept Philadelphia in the playoffs, he is anticipated to make his season debut.
Additionally, the Sixers just won their second game of the season, 107-05, at home against the Hornets on Sunday. Despite being 4-5 so far, the Knicks have lost three of their last four games in which they were the favorites.
Let’s examine some major plot points, the finest PA sportsbooks’ odds, and predictions for the 76ers vs. Knicks game.
Joel Embiid set to make season debut
In the 2010s, the Philadelphia 76ers put their faith in the process, and now they have a true superstar. Although they probably ought to have had a different player or two, their poor injury luck and poor drafting choices have left Embiid as the team’s mainstay.
The seven-time All-Star and 2022–2023 MVP was selected third overall in the 2014 NBA Draft. He competed in the Olympics throughout the summer, but he hasn’t played in the NBA yet this year. On Tuesday night, that ought to change.
Due to injuries, Embiid only participated in 39 games during the regular season last year, but when healthy, he was incredibly productive. He averaged 11.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 33.6 points per game.
He averaged at least 30 points for the fourth consecutive season, and aside from his rookie campaign, he has now averaged double-digit rebounds in every season. But as he disseminated the ball more, he recorded a career-high 5.6 assists per game.
Embiid is making a comeback from both an injury and a contentious three-game suspension following a fight with a journalist. Given that the New York Knicks are coming down, he should be ready to go for this one no matter what, and his enthusiasm level will be much higher.
Additionally, this will be Embiid and George’s first time playing together for the 76ers. In order to establish a Big Three with Maxey at the point and couple George with Embiid, Philadelphia signed him to a four-year max contract over the summer.
76ers vs. Knicks odds
The Sixers are somewhat favored over New York on Tuesday night, according to the betting oddsboard. They are as high as -120 on the moneyline and -1 favorites on the point spread.
The Knicks are as high as +100 on the moneyline and +1.5 on the point spread, even though they have twice as many victories as the Sixers.
A Sixers squad that has had a terrible start to the season should be revitalized by Embiid’s return. A rivalry game versus the New York Knicks should have the Wells Fargo Center rocking.
Knicks stumbling on the road
With their only losses this season coming at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are still undefeated, and in Boston against the defending NBA champion Celtics, the New York Knicks are off to a 3-2 start.
The Knicks, however, fell by 12 in Houston and by 5 in Atlanta after winning their opening two games of a road trip in Miami and Detroit. They fell by 11 points in Indiana on Sunday night, but they came home to defeat the Bucks as 6.5-point favorites.
This offseason, the Knicks completed a significant trade by acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns from the Timberwolves. In addition to a first-round pick for the big man, they traded Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle to Minnesota.
With 24.9 points per game through nine games, Towns is off to a strong start in his new locale, trailing only Jalen Brunson’s 25.0 points per game. Additionally, the rookie is averaging 12.3 rebounds.
76ers vs. Knicks betting
On the road, we’ll see if the Knicks can get back on track. They have a crucial meeting here in Philadelphia after losing three straight road games at Madison Square Garden.
For some prop bets on this game, we’re turning back to Joel Embiid. Examine his points, rebounds, and assists during his career as a PA sports bettor. When the big man makes his season debut against a poor Knicks club, it would also be worthwhile to wager on him to record at least two blocks.
76ers vs. Knicks prediction
According to some, Christmas Day marks the official start of the NBA season. With Embiid well enough to join George on the court, the Sixers are hopeful that’s the case as they try to start ramping things up. The 76ers will benefit greatly from bringing those two together, even if they will still be missing Maxey for a while.
Support the Sixers at home on Tuesday night. They are available at FanDuel Sportsbook at -112 on the moneyline or at BetMGM Sportsbook at -1.5 (-105) on the point spread.
Additionally, I would look at the game’s over, which Caesars Sportsbook offers at Over 217 (-105).