The New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers face off in NBA action on Thursday night. This is a crucial battle in the Eastern Conference with the Knicks fourth in the standings with a 33-22 record and the 76ers just half a game behind them.
This is expected to be a close contest with NBA odds hitting the board with Philly as a 1-point home favorite and the Over/Under at 228.
Here are my free NBA picks for the Knicks vs. 76ers on February 22.
Knicks vs 76ers odds
Knicks vs 76ers predictions
Both teams are extremely banged up with the Philadelphia 76ers missing reigning MVP Joel Embiid and two other rotation pieces, while Julius Randle, O.G. Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson are sidelined for the New York Knicks.
The Knicks did get some good news with center Isaiah Hartenstein and forward Bojan Bogdanovic upgraded to probable following the All-Star break.
With so many high-scoring players on the IL, there are going to be plenty of field goal attempts for the guys remaining. We'll likely see a battle between point guards Tyrese Maxey and Jalen Brunson with both coming off their first All-Star appearances and brimming with confidence. However, the odds have adjusted for their higher usage with the O/U on Brunson's points at 29.5 and Maxey's at 26.5.
There is more value on the other guys stepping into these lineups including 76ers center Paul Reed. With Embiid undergoing knee surgery at the start of the month, Reed has slotted into the starting lineup. He isn't just taking up space on the floor, and his increase in playing time has resulted in a surge in productivity.
Reed has scored at least 12 points in his last four games and is coming off an 18-point performance against the Heat. Reed also went off 30 points and 13 rebounds when the Sixers faced Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets without Embiid last month.
While the 76ers roll with plenty of small-ball lineups in Embiid's absence, that likely won't be the case today since the 7-foot Hartenstein is expected to play and Philly will need Reed's length against him. Reed has logged 20+ minutes in 17 games this season and scored in double digits in 11 of those contests. Expect him to go Over 9.5 points tonight.
My best bet: Paul Reed Over 9.5 points (-120 at bet365)
Knicks vs 76ers same-game parlay
Paul Reed Over 9.5 points
Knicks team total Under 113.5
76ers moneyline
Randle and Anunoby are the second and third-leading scorers for New York and with both sidelined since January 27, this offense has struggled. Since the start of February, the Knicks are 28th in the league in effective field goal percentage (50.9%) and that combined with their sluggish tempo has led to them scoring fewer than 112 points in six of seven games.
Philly is obviously also missing a big chunk of its offense in Embiid but still has more scoring options than New York. In addition to the underrated Reed and the previously mentioned Maxey, the 76ers have Tobias Harris, Kelly Oubre, and the recently acquired Buddy Hield who are all capable of getting buckets.
That offensive depth combined with home-court advantage has me leaning towards them against a Knicks squad that entered the All-Star break going 1-5 SU and 0-6 ATS in its last six games.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Best NBA bonuses for Knicks vs 76ers
All Users
Place a 3+ leg SGP
Bonus bets back if one leg loses! Claim Now
All Users
Maxey 25+ points and 8+ assists
+235 BOOSTED to +300! Claim Now
All Users
Instant payout for NBA moneylines
If your team goes up by 20! Claim Now
New Users
Bet $5 on any wager
Get $150 in bonus bets! Claim Now
Eligible USA locations only. Also, see our full list of best sportsbook promotions for 2024.
21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Knicks vs 76ers spread and Over/Under analysis
The line opened with the 76ers installed as slim 1-point home favorites with the O/U at 226. While the spread hasn't seen any movement, money has come in on the Over shifting the total to 228.
After going on a win streak following the trade for Anunoby, the Knicks are mired in a slump after he and Randle hit the IL. They haven't covered in a game since February 1 and three of their last four defeats have come by double digits.
Philly was looking like a championship contender and Embiid seemed set to win his second-straight MVP award before his knee issues cropped up. The 76ers have struggled without their superstar center going just 3-9 SU and 4-8 ATS in their last 12 games.
They have gone 2-2 SU and ATS since trading for Hield, but the sharpshooter won't fix their flaws on the defensive end of the floor. With Embiid in the lineup the 76ers have an impressive defensive rating of 112.6, but in his absence that number has ballooned to 120.9.
Covers community NBA picks
Knicks vs 76ers betting trend to know
The Under is 22-8 in the Knicks last 30 games (+13.20 Units / 40% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. 76ers.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Covers may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook or betting site.
Knicks vs 76ers game info
| Location: | Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA |
| Date: | Thursday, February 22, 2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | MSG, NBC Sports Philadelphia |
Knicks vs 76ers latest injuries
Stay updated with the latest picks, odds, and news! Tap the 
to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.
