Can the 76ers return to the win column with Embiid back against the Knicks?

What: NBA Cup Tournament Game
When: November 12, 2024
Who: New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Time: 7:30 p.m. EST
Where: Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia, PA)

The NBA Cup kicks off its second season on Tuesday, with a highly anticipated matchup in the group stage as the New York Knicks visit the Philadelphia 76ers.

Both teams were projected to be top contenders this season following significant offseason moves, but they have yet to hit the ground running in the early weeks of the campaign.

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Game Preview (Knicks vs. 76ers)

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New York Knicks pk em	-115	-110	-110
Philadelphia 76ers pk em	-105	-110	-110

Karl-Anthony Towns has been outstanding for the Knicks this season, averaging 24.9 points and 12.3 rebounds per game with an impressive shooting percentage of over 50% from the floor.

His performance has been particularly strong in the last three games, where he has averaged 32.0 points and 12.0 rebounds per contest. With Towns in this form, the Knicks are poised to be competitive in every matchup they face.

As a team, the Knicks are excelling with a shooting percentage of 49%, ranking fourth in the NBA. They also stand out in three-point shooting, holding the third-best percentage in the league.

Additionally, New York is effective at the free-throw line. Their ability to convert shots consistently will be crucial on Tuesday night if they aim to secure a victory.

The silver lining for New York is that the 76ers have struggled defensively this season.

Philadelphia gives up an average of 114.6 points per game and ranks second in allowing the highest field goal percentage and third in three-point shooting percentage in the league.

New York has the capability to score efficiently, and it's worth noting that Jalen Brunson wasn't even mentioned in this context.

If the team continues to shoot well, they could put up significant points against the 76ers and secure a victory in this matchup.

New York Knicks pick 'em New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers

-110

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The 76ers have some fantastic news ahead of this game: Joel Embiid is back after serving a three-game suspension. Since he hasn’t yet played this season, his return will be vital for the team.

As an elite scorer, Embiid brings exactly what Philadelphia needs, and his presence should significantly boost their chances of winning more games as the season progresses.

Last season, the 76ers had an impressive record of 31-8 with Embiid on the floor, while they struggled to a 16-27 record without him.

When he played, the team averaged over 120 points per game, but that number dropped to under 110 when he was absent.

With Embiid back in action, fans can expect a noticeable improvement in performance compared to the start of the season.

This one is a pick'em line so I'd back the 76ers with Embiid back in this one.

Philadelphia 76ers pick 'em New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers

-105

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Total Points

Total Points
Over 217	-110	-110	-105
Under 217	-110	-110	-115

Philadelphia added Paul George to their lineup four games ago, which is a positive development for the team. While he hasn't been the prolific scorer he was in earlier years, he still has the ability to impact the game significantly.

George is currently averaging a career-high in assists, with 5.8 per game, although it's worth noting that this is based on just four games. Nevertheless, he’s showing that he can contribute in ways beyond scoring.

If he continues to excel in playmaking and increases his scoring output, the 76ers could be in a strong position moving forward.

The Knicks have struggled significantly with paint protection this season, ranking 29th in the league in rim defense, and they’ve also had difficulty defending the three-point line.

This poses a challenge against a 76ers team that will likely focus on playing through Embiid when he’s on the court, which should lead to higher percentage scoring chances for players like Paul George and Jared McCain on the perimeter.

On the flip side, the 76ers' defense is currently 20th in defensive rating, and they will face a Knicks squad that boasts the second-best offensive rating and will aim to exploit mismatches with Jalen Brunson and Towns from the outside.

Despite both teams having been strong defensively last season, this matchup is expected to generate a lot of scoring, so taking the over in Philadelphia seems like a good call.

Over 217 points at -110 odds is the best bet in this one.

Over 217 New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers

-110

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