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. Here’s a New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers Prediction. This article will include a New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers Pick.

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 17 shooting; 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. Check out tonight’s game between the Timberwolves and Spurs. 

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.

Why the Philadelphia 76ers will win

• The 76ers have won each of their last eight games as home favorites.
• The Knicks have lost 10 of their last 12 Eastern Conference Semifinals road games.
• The 76ers have covered the spread in eight of their last nine night games against the Knicks following a road loss.
• The Knicks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four playoff games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents following a win.

Why the New York Knicks will win

• The Knicks have won each of their last nine night games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The 76ers have lost seven of their last eight home games against Knicks teams that held a winning record.
• The Knicks have covered the spread in each of their last six games at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
• The 76ers have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games at Xfinity Mobile Arena against Knicks teams that held a winning record.

Total Points Facts

• Each of the 76ers’ last 13 Friday night games has gone UNDER the total points line.
• Each of the Knicks’ last six games as road underdogs following a home win have gone UNDER the total points line.

Philadelphia 76ers Player Facts

• VJ Edgecombe is one of only 16 players in the league to have recorded 4+ steals in consecutive games this season.
• Quentin Grimes ranks 18th in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for FT% (84.0%) this season.

New York Knicks Player Facts

• Jalen Brunson ranks 4th in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for points per game (26.0) this season.
• Miles McBride ranks 7th in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for 3P% (41.3%) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The 76ers rank 29th in the league for Q3 win percentage this season (36.6%).
• The 76ers rank 3rd in the league for opponent steals per game this season (7.3).
• The Knicks rank 2nd in the league for opponent steals per game this season (7.3).
• The Knicks rank 29th in the league for blocks per game this season (3.9).

New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers Prediction

The Knicks are dealing with a few nagging injuries with Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinsons and OG Anunoby all listed as game-time decisions 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