Knicks vs Sixers Predictions: Philly Need to Limit the Knicks’ Paint Opportunities

• The New York Knicks are looking to bounce back from a three-game losing streak.
• The Philadelphia 76ers are hoping to overcome losing James Harden to injury.
• The Knicks and Sixers split their regular season series last year, 2-2.

Knicks vs Sixers Predictions and Picks

The New York Knicks have dug themselves a hole with their inability to take care of the ball. While James Harden will be unavailable for up to a month due to injury, they've actually thrived in games where he's taken on a lesser role. So long as Embiid and Melton return for this game, the Sixers could unlock something special.

Picks:

Philadelphia 76ers def. New York Knicks

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Head-to-Head: New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers

Injury Report

NYK: Defend the Three-Point Line

The New York Knicks have slowed down after their hot 3-1 star to the season. They're currently on a three-game losing streak, as they've struggled to compete with the upper echelon of the NBA. To beat the Sixers, they'll have to buckle down with their gritty perimeter defence.

The Knicks will have their hands full when they take on the Philadelphia 76ers, who are first in the league in three-point field goal percentage at 41.2%, and eighth overall in three-pointers per game with 13.8.

New York are a tough perimeter defending team, holding their opponents to 33.5% from deep despite allowing 13.4 threes per game. There's little room for error when they take on the Sixers, but if they can lock down the arc they have a chance.

Knicks Key Player: (G) Immanuel Quickley

The New York Knicks have been struggling as of late, and they may need to find some more products in their depth. The first name that comes to mind off the bench is Immanuel Quickley, who is coming off of a surprising performance in a loss.

In Quickley's last game, a loss to the Atlanta Haws, he posted 11 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 assists in 29 minutes of play. The 6'3 guard certainly isn't known for his rebounding prowess, so his 16 rebounds is definitely an aberration. However it is a sign that he is willing to put in the blue-collar work for the Knicks to win.

A career 36.3% shooter from three, Quickley has struggled with his shot to open this season - shooting just 31.0% from deep. However his last game, despite the loss, was promising for the Knicks role player who will need to up his production to help the Knicks find victory.

PHI: Philly Need to Limit the Knicks' Paint Opportunities

The Philadelphia 76ers are coming off of a loss in their last game, now needing to take down a gritty Knicks team in order to get back on the winning trend. Offence isn't the Sixers' issue, to take down the Knicks they'll need to slow down New York's paint attack.

The New York Knicks are a paint oriented team, scoring 67.7% of their field goals inside of the arc. They're not a strong three-point shooting team, so Philadelphia need to be firm when trying to protect the rim.

The Sixers are 29th in the NBA in two-point field goal percentage allowed at 57.7% per game., while also resting 24th in the league in blocks per game with 4.2. They don't seem to have the personnel to stop New York's threat inside, so expect them to give up the three in order to limit New York.

Sixers Key Player: (G) Tyrese Maxey

The Philadelphia 76ers may be missing James Harden, but they'll be confident with Tyrese Maxey leading the line. Maxey is putting on an All-Star worthy season through nine games, and will have a crack at being the primary playmaker with Harden out.

Tyrese Maxey is widely known as a scoring ace. He is coming off of a game where he posted 32 points, 4 assists, and 2 rebounds in 43 minutes of play. He's averaging 24.2 points on 51.6% shooting through nine games, a career-high.

Maxey was the sole bright spot for the Sixers when they opened their last game against the Wizards, as he posted 10 points on 50% shooting in the first quarter while the rest of his team struggled. With his pace and shooting Maxey can make a massive difference if he's aggressive on offence.

How to Watch New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers

• Who: New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers
• Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
• When: 7:00 PM EST, Friday, November 4th, 2022
• How to Watch: MSG Network, NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBA League Pass (Stream)