Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks NBA Picks & Predictions 3/15/2018

Thursday, March 15, 2018

Madison Square Garden

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Philadelphia 76ers travel to Madison Square Garden to play the New York Knicks on Thursday, March 15, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Philadelphia as 8 point favorites.

The 76ers come into this game with an overall record of 36-30. They are 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 2.2 as they are averaging 107.8 points per game while giving up 105.6 per contest. The Knicks have an overall record of 24-44. They currently are 4th in the Atlantic Division. They are averaging 103.9 points per game and surrendering 107.7, good for a point differential of -3.8.

Valuable Philadelphia 76ers Betting Trends

The Philadelphia 76ers are 36-29-1 against the spread

The Philadelphia 76ers are 32-34-0 against the over/under

Important New York Knicks Betting Trends

The New York Knicks are 30-38-0 against the spread

The New York Knicks are 35-32-1 against the over/under

Key Philadelphia 76ers Injuries

01/15/18 PG Markelle Fultz Shoulder is out indefinitely

Key New York Knicks Injuries

03/14/18 G Tim Hardaway Jr. Ankle is probable Thursday vs Philadelphia
02/07/18 F Kristaps Porzingis ACL is out for season

Player Spotlight

Joel Embiid averages 23.5 points per game in 31.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.2 assists per contest and 11 rebounds per game for Philadelphia. His field goal percentage is 49% for the year while his free throw percentage is 76%. Ben Simmons comes into this contest averaging 16.2 points per game while playing 34.6 minutes per night so far this season for the 76ers. He pulls down 7.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 7.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 54% while his free throw percentage is currently at 58%.

Player Spotlight

Enes Kanter averages 14.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 25.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 10.8 rebounds per contest and 1.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 60% and his free throw percentage is 86%. Tim Hardaway averages 17.5 points per game while playing 33 minutes per contest this year for the Knicks. He grabs 4 rebounds per game and has 2.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage currently is at 81%.

Useful Team Statistics

The 76ers allow 105.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 14th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 2nd and 3rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41.9 rebounds a game which ranks 6th, and they give up 21.4 assists per contest which puts them in 5th place in the league. They force 14.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 14th in the league. Philadelphia averages 107.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 10th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.18 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 10th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 14th in the league. They average 46.6 rebounds per game and 25.9 assists per game, which ranks them 1st and 3rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 1st with 17.2 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Knicks surrender 107.7 points per contest, which ranks them 20th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 13th and 27th in those defensive statistics. They rank 20th with 23.8 assists allowed per contest, and 11th with 42.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Knicks are 5th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.6 per game this season. New York is 21st in the league with 103.9 points per game this year. They are 13th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -3.78. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 26th in the NBA. They are 15th in the league in rebounding with 43.9 boards per game and 14th in assists per contest with 22.8. The Knicks are 9th in turnovers per game with 15.

Advanced Statistics

The 76ers are 16th in the NBA in offensive rating with 108.2, and their defensive rating of 106 is ranked 26th. In terms of pace they are 5th in the league with 99 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 8th. As a team they are 10th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 15th in the league. Philadelphia is 1st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 29th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

New York is 11th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 14th in the NBA. The Knicks are 21st in the league in defensive rating with 110.6, and their offensive rating of 106.7 is ranked 9th. They are 17th in the NBA in pace with 96.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 24th. As a unit they are 25th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 26% of their shot attempts, ranking 30th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's 76ers/Knicks NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take New York +8

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink