The Knicks lost two of their last three games after winning eight straight to salvage what was a miserable start to 2026. Wednesday’s matchup will be another challenge considering New York lost to Indiana in overtime on Tuesday.
The 76ers have the rest advantage, and are potentially at full strength. Joel Embiid, Quentin Grimes and Dominick Barlow are all game-time decisions.
Philadelphia is a 1.5-point favorite and -130 on the moneyline, while New York is +110 on DraftKings Sportsbook. The over/under is set at 222.5 points.
Here’s a preview, prediction and pick for Wednesday’s Knicks vs. 76ers matchup.
Knicks vs. 76ers prediction, preview
Tuesday’s loss was a tough one to swallow. New York, although without OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson, is much, much better than Indiana. Losing in overtime is a brutal look for a team supposedly built to win the Eastern Conference.
On the second night of a back-to-back, the Knicks face the 76ers, who are significantly better than the Pacers, too. Philadelphia is 30-23 and won two of three matchups with New York this season. Oddly enough, both wins came on the road, and this matchup will be in Philadelphia.
New York is 12-13 on the road, and Philadelphia is 15-13 at home, so neither stands out with an advantage. A big swing could come from the injury report. If Anunoby and/or Robinson return, it’ll provide a major boost to a tired Knicks squad.
Without Anunoby and Robinson, the Knicks’ rotation is thin and on the second leg of a back-to-back. Philadelphia should take advantage of this, although it only ranks 19th in pace. Perhaps the slower pace allows New York to keep up.
The other angle to consider is that New York may use this as a get-right game. Beside the brutal January stretch, the Knicks only lost at least two games in a row once (at the end of October). Most recently, the Knicks bounced back from a 38-point loss to the Pistons with a 22-point win vs. the Celtics.
Knicks vs. 76ers pick, best bet
This game should be close as the spread indicates, but it just makes more sense for the 76ers to win. Although they’re not an incredible team at home, the squad is rested and playing the Knicks, who are on the second night of a back-to-back.
If Anunoby and Robinson return, that could swing the game, but that’s not a certainty. And on the flip side, Embiid and Grimes could return, too. A fresh Philadelphia squad will win outright regardless of the injury report.