Madison Square Garden is the spot for an intriguing Eastern Conference showdown between the 76ers and Knicks. Philadelphia (18-14), when healthy, is a force to be reckoned with. That will be put to the test tonight against New York (23-11), a squad with championship aspirations.
In this grudge match, who is poised for a standout performance? The Knicks are favored by 3.5 points (-102) over the 76ers, with the over/under set at 233.5 points. Here are two of the top prop bet picks on DraftKings Sportsbook for tonight’s Philadelphia vs. New York matchup.
76ers vs. Knicks prop bet picks
Paul George 3+ three-pointers made (-103)
All things considered, it’s been another disappointing year in Philly for Paul George. The veteran has missed 16 of a potential 32 games this season due to nagging injuries. When he has taken the floor, the forward is averaging 15.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. To make matters worse, he’s shooting an inefficient 40% from the field so far. Those numbers are a far cry from what NBA fans have come to expect from the nine-time All Star.
With that being said, the wing is due for some positive regression. PG-13 has been effective from beyond the arc, knocking down 39% of his three-point attempts. In five of his previous eight appearances, George has nailed at least three shots from long distance. He should continue to find success in that regard on Saturday. The Knicks struggle to defend the perimeter, especially with Josh Hart (ankle) injured. New York is giving up 14.5 three-pointers per game to opponents, third-worst in the NBA. Expect George to deliver another solid showing from deep in this one.
Mikal Bridges 5+ rebounds (-125)
Several Knicks are dealing with injuries, including Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns (illness). Still, New York employs one of the sport’s ultimate iron men in Mikal Bridges. The durable wing is slated to suit up for the 34th time this season. During that stretch, he’s accounted for 16.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. Those stats, along with 52/41/76 shooting splits, make the wing a reliable presence for New York.
Bridges’ work on the glass often goes unnoticed. However, with KAT potentially sidelined, the Knicks need rebounding now more than ever. Mikal has snagged at least five boards in 19 of his 34 appearances this season. In comparison, the Sixers have surrendered 55.1 rebounds per game to opponents, eighth-most in the NBA. Bridges managed to snag a handful of boards when these two clubs last met on December 19th. A similar outing tonight, even on the second leg of a back-to-back, is likelier than not.
