The Philadelphia 76ers (1-26) will try to put an end to their eight-game skid when they take on the New York Knicks (12-14) at First Union Center. Action begins at 7:00 pm ET on Friday, Dec. 18 and can be seen on MSG and CSP.
The 76ers are hoping for a better outcome after their 127-106 loss to the Hawks on Wednesday. Isaiah Canaan was the game’s leading scorer with 24 points. The Knicks, meanwhile, are coming off a 107-102 win against the Timberwolves on Wednesday. Arron Afflalo was the game’s top scorer, accounting for 29 points on 9-for-14 shooting.
Jahlil Okafor has taken his game to another level over the last five games for the 76ers. During that stretch, he has averaged 21.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists, and 1.0 block.
The top-notch Knicks defense appears to have an advantage when it comes to effective field goal percentage. They rank fifth in the league in making teams miss (opponents’ effective field goal percentage of 46.7%), whereas the cold-shooting offense of Philadelphia is 28th with a mark of 47.0%.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams, with the Knicks winning the first matchup 99-87. Kristaps Porzingis put up a double-double in the victory with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
The Knicks take on the 76ers as a five-point favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at 191 points. The 76ers come into this game 1-26 Straight Up (SU) and 11-15-1 Against The Spread (ATS). Over their last 10 games, they have only managed a record of 2-7-1 ATS.
As for their opponent, the Knicks have a record of 15-11 ATS and 12-14 SU. Despite having a losing record against the Eastern Conference, New York is successful ATS in those games with a record of 9-6. The Knicks convert their free throws at a high percentage, ranking third in the league at .807. The New York defense has been a problem for competitors, allowing only .304 shooting from three-point range to its opponents.
In their previous meeting this season, New York beat Philadelphia, bumping its SU record over the last 10 meetings to 8-2. On the other hand, the 76ers hold the advantage ATS with a record of 6-4.
Predictions: SU Winner – NY, ATS Winner – NY, O/U – Under
Notes
Philadelphia is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games.
Philadelphia is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games.
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Philadelphia’s last 16 games at home.
Philadelphia is 1-15 SU in its last 16 games at home.
Philadelphia is 3-12-1 ATS in its last 16 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia’s last 6 games when playing New York.
Philadelphia is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing New York.
Philadelphia is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against New York.
Philadelphia is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 games when playing at home against New York.
New York is a perfect 3-0 SU against division rivals, while the winless 76ers are 0-6 SU against their foes.
On average, New York puts up 97.7 points per game (ranked 23rd). Philadelphia ranks 24th in points allowed per game with 104.2.
Philadelphia ranks 26th in points allowed per home game (106.4 PPG), while New York ranks 19th in points per away game with 98.7.
When Philadelphia allows fewer than 100 points, the team has an underachieving 1-9 record this season. New York also has a subpar record when it scores fewer than 100 (4-12).
Philadelphia has not won a game this season (0-17) when allowing 100 or more points. On the other hand, New York has an exceptional 8-2 record when it hits triple digits.
The 76ers have an offensive rating of 92.7 (ranked 30th). The Knicks rank 16th for their defensive rating of 102.9.
Philadelphia averages 98.3 possessions per game, scoring .927 points on each possession. While New York averages fewer possessions per game with 97.0, the team scores more points per possession with 1.008.
The Philadelphia 76ers average an effective field goal percentage of 47.0% this season. The New York Knicks have a subpar record of 3-7 when opponents have an EFF% of 47.0% or greater.
Philadelphia makes an average of 18.9 assists per game (ranked 26th). New York ranks higher in assists with 20.0 (ranked 24th).
Philadelphia ranks near the top of the league in blocking at fourth (6.6 blocks per game). New York is ranked eighth, with 5.6 blocks per game.
Philadelphia is ranked 23rd when it comes to offensive rebounding. New York ranks 13th in defensive rebounds.
On average, Philadelphia makes 7.9 steals per game. New York has a solid 9-5 record when it gives up at least 7 steals.
