New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers Prediction 5/8/2026 Today’s NBA Picks

The New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers duke it out in Game 3 of the East Semifinals at the Xfinity Mobile Arena on Friday night.

New York Knicks Betting Preview 

The New York Knicks are now in great position to take a commanding 3-0 series lead after outlasting the 76ers in a 108-102 win in Game 2 on Wednesday. 
Jalen Brunson led the team with 26 points and six assists, OG Anunoby added 24 points with five rebounds and four steals on nine of 17shooting, Karl-Anthony Towns added 20 points with 10 rebounds and seven assists while Mikal Bridges chipped in with 18 points. As a team, the Knicks shot 51 percent from the field and just seven of 26 from the 3-point line, but this win was about their defense as this game was up for grabs midway through the fourth quarter before the Knicks restricted the 76ers to just three points in the final 6:51 to escape with the gritty win. Josh Hart had a quiet game of just five points while no bench player scored more than six points for the Knicks. 

Philadelphia 76ers Betting Preview 

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers were eager to respond after getting humbled in the series opener, but they will be kicking themselves after falling just short to the Knicks in a crucial Game 2 loss on Wednesday. Tyrese Maxey led the team in scoring with 26 points and six assists on nine of 23 shooting, Kelly Oubre Jr and Paul George each scored 19 points while VJ Edgecombe chipped in with 17 points. As a team, the 76ers shot 45 percent from the field and 13 of 34 from the 3-point line as they wrestled with the Knicks in a tight contest to take a narrow lead in the fourth quarter, but they went ice-cold when it mattered most and got outscored by 12-3 in the final 6:25 to allow the Knicks off the hook. Joel Embiid sat out the game with a right ankle sprain and hip soreness.

New York v Philadelphia Free Prediction

The Knicks are dealing with a few nagging injuries with Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinsons and OG Anunoby all listed as a game time decision while the 76ers are sweating on the availability of Joel Embiid. The 76ers were always going to fight back after getting humiliated in the series opening loss but an offensive collapse in the fourth quarter cost them in Game 2, so the pressure is now on them to bounce back at home. The 76ers have opened as favorites in this one despite the injury cloud hanging over Embiid, but they lost two of their three home games against the Celtics in the 1st Round. Sure, the 76ers need this win more than the Knicks, but I just get the feeling the Knicks pull off the minor upset in this spot and find a way to take a 3-0 series lead when it’s all said and done. I might feel different if the 76ers had a healthy Embiid, but right now I prefer a play on the Knicks in this spot.

Peter Tran's Pick: New York +1.5