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Sixers vs. Knicks Betting Pick (March 21, 2021)

By Russ Joy

Published: Mar 21st, 2021 · 3:27 PM EDT

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On Sunday night, the Philadelphia 76ers are on the road taking on the New York Knicks. The Sixers enter play at 29-13, which is the best record in the Eastern Conference by a full game over the Brooklyn Nets. The Knicks are 21-21 on the season, which has them in sixth place in the East and just one game back of the fourth seed in the conference.

Let’s get into our Sixers-Knicks betting preview, including odds, boosts, and picks.

Sixers vs. Knicks Betting Pick (March 21, 2021)

When word came down that franchise center Joel Embiid would be out for at least two weeks following a diagnosis of a bone bruise on his knee due to a post-dunk hyperextension of his knee, there was concern that the Sixers could fall from the top seed in the East. After a 3-1 stretch against the Wizards, Spurs, Bucks, and Kings, it’s safe to say Embiid’s teammates have weathered the early storm well. The Sixers blew out the Spurs and Kings, blew a late lead and lost in overtime to Milwaukee, but interestingly enough, their closest result came against the Knicks.

In the last meeting against New York, the trio of Tobias Harris (30 points), Seth Curry (20 points), and Ben Simmons (16 points) combined for 66 of the Sixers’ 99 points.

Click here to get crazy 64-1 March Madness odds at DraftKings Sportsbook.

The New York Knicks bounced back following their three-point loss to Philadelphia, eking out a 94-93 win against the Orlando Magic on Thursday night. That game represented their first back at home following a four-game road trip. While Philadelphia is playing on the second half of a back-to-back, the Knicks have had two full days without a game between their last win and tonight’s game. That could be big for New York, especially since Philadelphia is once again going to be without Seth Curry and Ben Simmons is listed as questionable.

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Sixers vs. Knicks Odds

Here’s the line for the Sixers and Knicks at DraftKings Sportsbook:

• • Spread: Sixers -1, Knicks +1
  • Moneyline: Sixers -114, Knicks -106
  • Total: 213

And here are the current best available odds for the Sixers (may not display on Google AMP pages):

[metabet_core_odds_compare query=”76ers” size=”300×250″ site_id=”crossingbroad”]

 

Bets We Like With a Sixers Win

FiveThirtyEight gives the Sixers a 52% chance of winning with a -0.5 point line. The oddsmakers are in close agreement, with the Sixers’ implied win probability based on the moneyline at 51%.

Sixers to Win and Each Team to Score Over 99.5 Points (+130, DraftKings Sportsbook)

The Sixers are a more talented and deeper team than the New York Knicks, as evidenced in part by their 29-13 record. Philadelphia is also 8-2 in their last 10 games, compared to New York’s 6-4 record over that same span. Philadelphia has been the dominant half of the teams’ matchups in recent years, winning each of the last 14 meetings.

It’s also worth noting that the potential variance in the total points market is enormous given starting point guard Ben Simmons’ questionable status due to left knee soreness. That variance is enough to avoid playing the over/under of 213 points and instead focusing in on the respective teams’ ability to meet the 100 point threshold.

The Sixers have scored at least 100 points in 29 of their last 30 games. They’ve allowed their opponents to cross the 100 point threshold in seven of their last ten games, with one of the exceptions coming in their March 16 meeting with the Knicks.

The New York Knicks had seen a dip in scoring in their last two games, but prior to that, they’d posted at least 100 points in four straight games and nine of their previous ten games. Assuming they’re able to get back on track in a home game against a Sixers team with multiple starters out, this part of the bet should hit safely.

If you’re looking for a way to boost a Sixers moneyline bet, this is worth a look.

 

Bets We Like Independent of Outcome

Julius Randle Over 41.5 Combined Points, Rebounds, and Assists (-113, FanDuel Sportsbook)

Julius Randle is in the midst of the best season in his seven-year NBA career. If the season were to end today, his 22.9 points, 11.1 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 0.8 steals would represent career highs for the former Kentucky Wildcat.

Randle has been excellent at home this season, averaging 25.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game at Madison Square Garden. In the month of March, he’s averaging 20.6 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game.

In his last four games, Randle has cleared the 41.5 combined points, rebounds, and assists threshold:

• 3/13/21 @ OKC: 26 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists (50 total)
• 3/15/21 @ BKN: 33 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists (51 total)
• 3/16/21 @PHI: 19 points, 15 rebounds, 8 assists (42 total)
• 3/18/21 v. ORL: 18 points, 10 rebounds, 17 assists (45 total)

FanDuel Sportsbook is offering new bettors a $1,000 bonus bet. Click here to get the offer.

 

Sixers to Win the First Quarter (-115, BetMGM)

If you’re looking for a solid recent trend early in games to wager on, this could be the market fo you. Philadelphia has won the first quarter in five of their six games since returning from the NBA All-Star break. On March 11, the Sixers won the first quarter 30-23 over the Bulls in Chicago, followed by a 32-15 road triumph in the opening frame against the Wizards, and a 33-22 first quarter victory over the Spurs.

After dropping the first frame against the Knicks 21-20, Philadelphia’s strong starts resumed 25-18 over the Bucks and 42-21 against the Kings. It’s not a market that will pay out an incredible multiplier, but it’s a strong trend indicative of a Sixers team that has had to rely on a balanced scoring attack, especially recently without franchise big man Joel Embiid.

Click here to bet $10 and get $160 in bonus bets for March Madness this weekend.

Sixers vs. Knicks Prediction

Pick: The oddsmakers and projection model agree that this game is a virtual toss-up with the Sixers missing starters Joel Embiid, Seth Curry, and possibly Ben Simmons on the road against a Knicks team that has far exceeded preseason expectations. Still, Philadelphia has shown resolve and resilience in overcoming Embiid’s absence and blew out Sacramento without three of their starters in last night’s contest. Take the Sixers to Win and Each Team to Score Over 99.5 Points.