Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks
Madison Square Garden
Philadelphia 76ers ML+130
CONF 78%
WCashedFinal 130-119
The read
TALE OF THE TAPE
New York Knicks Philadelphia 76ers Record 23-11 ← 18-14 Off Rating 120.7 ← 114.1 Def Rating 113.7 ← 112.6 Net Rating +7.0 ← +1.4 Rest Situation Back-to-Back 2 Days Rest ← Key Injuries Towns, Hart (OUT) Oubre (OUT)
Gary's Take The spreadsheet says New York is the better team, and under normal circumstances, I'd respect that 15-3 home record. But this is not a normal spot. The Knicks are walking into a buzzsaw of negative situational factors: they are on the second night of a back-to-back after a loss to Atlanta, their legs are heavy, and their injury report is a disaster. With Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson likely sidelined, New York is effectively bringing a knife to a gunfight in the paint.
This handicap starts and ends with Joel Embiid vs. New York's third-string centers. Jericho Sims and rookie Ariel Hukporti are high-effort players, but asking them to slow down a rested Embiid is malpractice. Philadelphia has had two full days off to prepare, and for the first time in weeks, their core trio of Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George is active together. The Knicks rely heavily on the 3-ball (37.2 attempts/game), but jump shooting is the first thing to die on tired legs.
The market is giving us plus-money on the healthier, fresher team with the best player on the floor. Jalen Brunson is a warrior, but he can't simulate rim protection or rebound for five guys. I'm fading the fatigue and the depleted roster. Take the value on the Sixers to win outright.
Injuries noted
Philadelphia 76ers: Kelly Oubre Jr. (Out) — Jan 2: Oubre (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Knicks.; Joel Embiid (Day-To-Day) — Jan 2: Embiid (knee) is listed as probable for Saturday's game against the Knicks.; Trendon Watford (Out) — Dec 31: The 76ers announced Monday that Watford (adductor) is "continuing to progress" and is "being reintegrated into team activities," Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com reports.
New York Knicks: Karl-Anthony Towns (Day-To-Day) — Jan 2: Towns (illness) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Hawks.; Josh Hart (Out) — Jan 2: Hart (ankle) has been cleared for light court work and will be re-evaluated in one week, Ian Begley of SportsNet New York reports.; Mitchell Robinson (Questionable) — Jan 2: Robinson won't play in Friday's game against the Hawks due to left ankle injury management, per Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com.; Landry Shamet (Questionable) — Dec 27: Shamet (shoulder) has progressed to on-court basketball activities but has not been cleared for contact yet, Steve Popper of Newsday reports.
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- Board stored January 3, 2026 at 10:47 AM ET.
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Props on this game
2OG AnunobyOVER 6.5 Rebounds Rebounds-137
LActual 6
Listen, when Josh Hart is out of the lineup, there is a massive vacuum on the glass for the Knicks, and OG Anunoby is the man stepping into it. OG has been crashing the boards with bad intentions lately, clearing this 6.5 line in three of his last four games, including two performances with 10+ rebounds.
Without Hart's 10 boards a night, Thibodeau is going to demand OG stays attached to the hip of Philly's bigs and wings. Facing a Sixers team that can be soft on the offensive glass, I expect OG to be the primary beneficiary.
He’s playing heavy minutes—averaging over 35 in his last five—so the opportunity for him to snatch seven rebounds is as high as it gets. Trust the hustle and the extra opportunities OG gets tonight in a short-handed rotation.
Tyrese MaxeyOVER 28.5 Points Points-112
WActual 36
Tyrese Maxey is playing at an MVP-caliber level right now, and I don't see the Knicks having an answer for his speed tonight. He's currently third in the league in scoring, and with Kelly Oubre Jr. sidelined, the offensive burden shifts even more toward Maxey's shoulders.
The Knicks are playing the second night of a back-to-back after a 'lethargic' loss to Atlanta, and tired legs are a death sentence when you're trying to track Maxey in transition. He already lit this team up for 30 points just two weeks ago, and Nick Nurse has shown no hesitation in letting him hunt his shot. On the final leg of a road trip, the Sixers will lean on their best offensive engine to close it out.
Expect Maxey to live at the rim and the free-throw line against a fatigued New York backcourt.
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