The 2024 NBA Playoffs keep rolling Thursday with Game 3 between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers. After the Knicks took both games at home, the series shifts to the City of Brotherly Love where the Sixers will try to get a foothold in the matchup. Philadelphia has been frustrated by the officiating in the series, and the league did acknowledge referees missed two fouls on Tyrese Maxey at the end of Game 2 which could impacted the outcome of the contest.
Mitchell Robinson is questionable for New York but is expected to play. Joel Embiid is also listed as questionable but is expected to play. The Sixers have upgraded De’Anthony Melton to questionable, a sign he could return to the floor tonight.
The 76ers are 5-point favorites according to DraftKings Sportsbook with the total set at 203. Philadelphia is -218 on the moneyline while New York is +180.
Knicks vs. 76ers, 7:30 p.m. ET
Pick ATS: Knicks +5
The Knicks are 22-17-2 ATS on the road this season, while the 76ers are 24-18 ATS at home. Philadelphia has generally performed better at home but it’s hard to glean much from the stats since Embiid was sitting for a good chunk of the year. The 76ers went 21-12 ATS as home favorites, while the Knicks were 11-12-1 ATS as road underdogs.
The first two games in this series have been close, and I do think the extra day off will make a difference for Brunson and Embiid. I think the 76ers do win this contest but New York keeps it tight enough to cover on this line.
Over/Under: Over 203
Both games so far in the series have gone over this total, and I don’t expect that to change much as the series moves to Philadelphia. The Knicks are 22-19 to the over as the road team while the 76ers are 22-20 to the over at home. The game should be close and on a total this low, I think the over is the safer play.
