The New York Knicks will try to take a commanding 3-1 lead this afternoon when they visit the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series.
Embiid needs another huge game to get this series evened up, and I discuss how he'll do it in my Knicks vs. 76ers predictions, featuring my NBA picks for the April 28 tilt.
Knicks vs 76ers predictions
My best bet
Joel Embiid Over 33.5 points (-118 at DraftKings)
Best odds available in your region
My analysis
No matter what you may think of Joel Embiid, there’s no denying he's one of the most dominant players in the NBA when he’s on the court. Embiid proved that again on Thursday when he scored a career playoff-high 50 points against the New York Knicks, even while physically limited by his surgically repaired left knee.
Embiid not only got over his knee injury — one he seemed to have reaggravated earlier in the series — but he confirmed he's dealing with Bell’s palsy, which is affecting the left side of his face. Despite those issues, he had little trouble ripping through the Knicks defense on Thursday, shooting 13-for-19 against Isaiah Hartenstein and everyone else New York has been able to throw at him.
That’s not the first success Embiid has had in this series, either. Embiid is averaging 37.7 points per game so far in the series and averaged 34.7 ppg during the regular season. He hasn’t been held below 29 points in this series and even got 34 points in New York in Game 2.
But there are signs Embiid gets even more favorable treatment in Philadelphia. In Game 3, Embiid shot 21 free throws, hitting 19 of them. While it’s unlikely he’ll continue to convert at the line at that rate, even his average of 88.3% this year — an outstanding number for any player, let alone a big man — will allow him to add to his points total against the Knicks at home.
The Philadelphia 76ers also seemed to utilize Embiid in a different way in order to take full advantage of their versatile center in Game 3. Embiid saw more open threes on Thursday, hitting five of seven from downtown to make the defense respect him from the outside.
Embiid is hitting 34.1% of his shots from beyond the arc this year, so again, while the 50-point game might have been an outlier, his overall trends should lead him to effectively attack the Knicks from anywhere on the court.
New York jumped out to a lead in this series because of its deeper lineup and variety of threats, but there’s no doubt Embiid is the best player on the court.
Knicks vs 76ers same-game parlay (SGP)
Joel Embiid Over 33.5 points
76ers moneyline
Over 208.5
If Joel Embiid has a vintage game on Sunday, he should be able to get the 76ers back in this series. In addition, I’m adding a bet on the Over to my same-game parlay. These two teams have averaged 219.7 points per game so far in this series, and there’s no reason to expect a huge change from form in Sunday’s matchup.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Knicks vs 76ers odds
Knicks vs 76ers live odds
Get the latest Knicks vs 76ers NBA playoff odds for Game 4.
Knicks vs 76ers opening odds
- Spread: New York +5 (-105) | Philadelphia -5 (-105)
- Moneyline: New York +174 | Philadelphia -195
- Over/Under: Over 208 (-106) | Under 208 (-106)
Knicks vs 76ers spread and Over/Under analysis
- The 76ers opened at a five-point favorite in Game 4. The consensus line has moved to Philadelphia -4.5, with -110 odds offered on both sides at most sites.
- The Knicks are 44-38-3 against the spread this year, while the 76ers are 50-34-1 ATS.
- Sunday’s total opened at 208 points. The consensus Over/Under is now 209 points, though totals from 208.5 from 209.5 are available at various books.
- The Over has a 44-39-2 edge in 76ers games this year, while the Under has the 46-39 advantage when New York plays.
Knicks vs 76ers trend
Joel Embiid has scored at least 34 points in each of his last two playoff games. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. 76ers.
Knicks vs 76ers game info
| Location: | Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA |
| Date: | Sunday, 4-28-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 1:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ABC |
Knicks vs 76ers latest injuries
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