New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers Predictions, NBA Expert Picks 2/27/2020

Game: New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers

Date: Thursday, February 27, 2020

Location: Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA

TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia

Odds/Point Spread: Philadelphia -6.5

Total/Over-Under: 224

Julius Randle and the New York Knicks (17-40, 5th in the Atlantic Division) head to Wells Fargo Center on Thursday where they'll take on the Philadelphia 76ers (36-22, 3rd in the Atlantic Division). New York opens this contest as 6.5 point underdogs. The over/under opens at 224.

The Knicks are covering 53.6% of the time, having gone 30-26-1 ATS. Philadelphia is covering the spread 44.4% of the time, going 24-30-4 against the spread.

Key New York Knicks Injuries

02/25/20 PG Elfrid Payton Ankle is upgraded to probable Wednesday vs Charlotte
02/25/20 PG Frank Ntilikina Groin is downgraded to doubtful Wednesday vs Charlotte

Key Philadelphia 76ers Injuries

02/24/20 PF Norvel Pelle Illness is questionable Wednesday vs Cleveland
02/24/20 SG Ben Simmons Back is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Julius Randle comes into this contest averaging 19.0 points per game while playing 32.7 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 9.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 71%. Elfrid Payton averages 9.7 points per game in 27.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 6.9 assists per contest and 4.7 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 54%.

Player Spotlight

Joel Embiid averages 23.8 points per game while playing 30.8 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 12.0 rebounds per game and has 3.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 82%. Al Horford averages 11.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.7 rebounds per contest and 3.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 73%.

Useful Team Statistics

New York averages 104.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 28th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -7.1 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 26th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 26th in the league. They average 46.5 rebounds per game and 21.6 assists per game, which ranks them 6th and 28th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 21st with 14.4 per game. The Knicks allow 111.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 19th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the arc, ranking them 18th and 29th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.1 rebounds a game which ranks 14th and they give up 24.1 assists per contest, which puts them in 14th place in the league. They force 14.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 10th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Philadelphia is 22nd in the league with 108.9 points per game this year. They are 10th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 2.4. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 18th in the NBA. They are 9th in the league in rebounding with 45.9 boards per game, and 8th in assists per contest with 25.8. The 76ers are 18th in turnovers per game with 14.6. The 76ers surrender 106.5 points per contest, which ranks them 3rd in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 12th and 12th in those defensive statistics. They rank 3rd with 22.3 assists allowed per contest and 2nd with 42.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The 76ers are 11th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Knicks are 28th in the league in defensive rating with 112.4, and their offensive rating of 105.3 is ranked 23rd. They are 21st in the NBA in pace with 98.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 28th. As a unit they are 30th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shot attempts, ranking 28th in the NBA. New York is 19th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 6th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Philadelphia is 16th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 22nd in the NBA. The 76ers are 19th in the league in defensive rating with 106.7, and their offensive rating of 109.1 is ranked 5th. They are 18th in the NBA in pace with 99.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 19th. As a unit they are 21st in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 22nd in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take New York +6.5

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