The 76ers host the Knicks in the NBA playoffs on Thursday! The Knicks have been great on their way to a 3-1 lead, but the 76ers stormed back to a win and avoided elimination for one more game heading into Game 6. The 76ers have a chance to gain some momentum heading into Game 3 at home in Philadelphia. We continue our NBA odds series with a Knicks-76ers prediction and pick.

The Knicks won both games at home in this series and then stole a game in Philadelphia to go up 3-2. Every game in this series has been very close. The two biggest keys for the Knicks have been Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart and their play has elevated the team completely. The Knicks are also bothering the 76ers with their defense, highlighted by OG Anunoby and it's been the difference in the series up to this point. The Knicks have seemed like they want it more than the 76ers and the biggest indicator has been their effort on defense. Their defense will be the biggest factor in whether or not they can hang on in this series against the 76ers.

The 76ers have dealt with injuries all year and that's mainly why they are the seventh seed. Every single game in this series has been close where either team has had the opportunity to take control down the stretch in “clutch” time. Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey have been great in this series, but they need more help. It is not helping that Joel Embiid is not 100%, and Tyrese Maxey has been the best player for the 76ers in this series. Their issue is finding another scorer outside of those two with Kyle Lowry being solid at best, and Tobias Harris being very inconsistent so far this postseason. The 76ers have more talent than the Knicks but have not shown it completely just yet.

Here are the NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

NBA Playoffs Odds: Knicks-76ers Game 6 Odds

New York Knicks: +3.5 (-112)

Moneyline: +134

Philadelphia 76ers: -3.5 (-108)

Moneyline: -158

Over: 200 (-110)

Under: 200 (-110)

How to Watch Knicks vs. 76ers Game 6 

Time: 9:00 pm ET

TV: TNT

Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)

Why The Knicks Could Cover The Spread/Win

The Knicks were the second-best defensive team in the NBA this season behind only the Timberwolves. They allowed 108.2 points per game, and then they were 15th in field goal percentage defense at 47% and were 17th against the three-point shot at 36.5% from behind the arc. In the postseason, they are allowing 106.8 points per game, 44.6% from the field, and then 36.8% from behind the arc. Mitchell Robinson leads the way in steals at one per game this series, but five other Knicks are averaging at least 0.8 steals per game. Five Knicks are averaging at least one block per game, with Precious Achiuwa leading the way at 2.5 per game. 

The offense for the Knicks has been a work in progress throughout the year. They were 19th in the league in scoring offense, scoring 112.8 points per game. They were also 20th in field goal percentage at 46.5% and 14th in three-point percentage at 36.9%. Four Knicks average over double digits in points this series with Jalen Brunson being the leader at 34.4 points per game. Brunson also leads the way in assists at 8.4 per game. Josh Hart has been a revelation in this series also and leads the way in rebounds this series at 12 per game from the perimeter. The Knicks are tough and that bleeds through with their offense.

Why The 76ers Could Cover The Spread/Win

The 76ers have excelled on defense this season even without Joel Embiid for part of the year. They were ninth in scoring defense, allowing 111.5 points per game. They were 11th in total field goal percentage defense, allowing 46.8% from the field, and were sixth in three-point percentage, allowing 35.4% from behind the arc. Joel Embiid is the key on defense down low and overall. He leads the 76ers in rebounds at 10.4 per game. Three 76ers average at least one block per game and Embiid leads in blocks at 1.6 per game. Then, three 76ers average at least one steal per game with Kelly Oubre Jr. leading the way with two steals per game.

Joel Embiid is the biggest key for the 76ers on offense. They were currently 15th in scoring offense, averaging 114.6 points per game, but Embiid adds a different dimension. Four players average over double digits with Tyrese Maxey leading the way in scoring at 32.4 points per game and then Embiid is right behind at 31.8 points per game. Tyrese Maxey also leads the way in passing at 7.2 assists per game this series. This series has been all about physicality, but the 76ers have gotten massive performances from Embiid and Maxey throughout all five games this series.

Final Knicks-76ers Prediction & Pick

The 76ers looked dead in the water in Game 5 and yet somehow won the game in overtime to extend the series. With the series back in Philadelphia, all the momentum is on the 76ers side. This is going to be close because of the nature of this series so far, but the 76ers escaped last game and should win and cover this game back home to force a Game 7.

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Final Knicks-76ers Prediction & Pick: 76ers -3.5 (-108)