The Philadelphia 76ers completed an improbable comeback against the Boston Celtics, thanks in large part to Joel Embiid.
My 76ers vs. Knicks predictions for Monday, May 4 expect Embiid to keep it rolling as an old rivalry with Karl-Anthony Towns and New York is renewed.
Here are my free NBA picks for tonight, with tip-off set for 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
- UPDATE: Added a pick for who will win tonight.
76ers vs Knicks Game 1 prediction
Who will win 76ers vs Knicks Game 1?
Sixers: The Sixers should keep this one close, and after they came up big at TD Garden, I wouldn’t be surprised if they found a way to win against the Knicks at MSG.
Philadelphia is a deep team with a legitimate Big 3, and with the squad at nearly full health, I’ll take the Sixers to pull off another upset on the road.
76ers vs Knicks best bet: Joel Embiid Over 40.5 points + rebounds + assists (-112)
For as good as the Philadelphia 76ers are with Tyrese Maxey leading the way, the team’s play on the offensive side of the court gets a noticeable boost when Joel Embiid is available.
During the regular season, Philly’s offensive rating was a mediocre 112.9 with Embiid on the sideline. With Embiid available, the 76ers’ offensive rating soared to 118.5, a mark that would have been fifth-best on the season.
Joel Embiid has averaged a healthy 44 PRA since returning in the playoffs, hitting the Over on this combo line in three of four games. In 11 career games at Madison Square Garden, Embiid has gone for 41+ PRA eight times.
Joel Embiid will also likely need to do more if he wants to lead his team to victory. The New York Knicks have multiple capable defenders to throw at Maxey, but their defensive depth down low isn't as deep.
With Philly's point guard locked up, its big man will have to do more of the heavy lifting.
Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns also have an old rivalry dating back to 2019, and the Sixers center has found success against the opposing big man. He’s averaged 41 PRA in 14 career matchups with Towns, hitting the Over on this line eight times.
Riding high from a 34/12/6 performance in Game 7 and playing against a heated rival, I expect Embiid to be at his best and deliver another big playoff performance.
COVERS INTEL: Joel Embiid averaged 16 rebounds + assists vs. the Celtics.
76ers vs Knicks Game 1 same-game parlay
At 27-18, the Sixers sport the second-best road record against the spread.
The Knicks may have the advantage of rest, but the Sixers are in a groove and have played the Knicks well over the last two seasons. Philly is 4-1 ATS across its last five games at Madison Square Garden.
The 76ers have hit the Over in two of their last four, and the Knicks have reached that mark in three of their last four.
Playoff basketball tends to slow down with lower scoring totals, but the Sixers’ offense is Top 5 with Embiid available, and New York averaged 133 points per game across its last two contests.
76ers vs Knicks SGP
- Joel Embiid Over 40.5 points + rebounds + assists
- 76ers +7.5
- Over 212
Our "from downtown" SGP: Rivalry renewed
Embiid has one career playoff triple-double, recorded in his last postseason berth in 2023-24. He’s averaged nine boards and seven dimes this postseason, and his playmaking abilities could lead to a monster night in the box score.
Embiid’s triple-double odds are long, and we can balance them out with Towns’ short double-double odds. Towns was one of the Association’s top rebounders, and he led the league with 56 double-doubles in 75 games.
New York demolished Atlanta in its last game out, but don’t let that annihilation of the Hawks sway your opinion of the visiting team.
The Sixers completed a rare comeback against a talented team on the road, and they’ll be feeling themselves as they head into Game 1 against a team that eliminated them in six games the last time they met in the postseason.
76ers vs Knicks SGP
- Joel Embiid triple-double
- Karl-Anthony Towns double-double
- 76ers moneyline
76ers vs Knicks odds for Game 1
- Spread: 76ers +7.5 | Knicks -7.5
- Moneyline: 76ers +235 | Knicks -290
- Over/Under: Over 212 | Under 212
76ers vs Knicks betting trend to know
The 76ers have hit the moneyline in 26 of their last 45 games (+19.85 Units / 20% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for 76ers vs. Knicks.
How to watch 76ers vs Knicks Game 1
| Location | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| Date | Monday, May 4, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Peacock/NBC |
76ers vs Knicks latest injuries
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