Philadelphia 76ers vs New York Knicks 2/27/22: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds, Live Stream
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Philadelphia 76ers vs New York Knicks Matchup Preview (2/27/22)
The Philadelphia 76ers (36-23) travel to face the slumping New York Knicks (25-35) Sunday afternoon. The 76ers have won 4 of their last 5 games and sit at the 3rd seed in the East. In James Harden’s debut against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the 76ers easily won 133-102. Harden looked rejuvenated with 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 12 assists on 58.3 FG%. Embiid enjoyed the increased spacing and produced a double-double of 34 points and 10 rebounds on 55.5 FG%. Maxey added 28 points on 75 FG% and looked comfortable playing off-ball. Karl-Anthony Towns (25 points) and D’Angelo Russell (21 points) were solid, yet unspectacular. Anthony Edwards only managed 15 points on 38.4 FG%, but it was expected with Thybulle (3 steals) often hounding him. The Timberwolves were simply outclassed here as the 76ers held the talent edge. The 76ers are completely healthy and should have everybody available against the Knicks.
The Knicks are struggling right now to stay afloat in the East. They are the 12th seed currently and 3.5 games back of the last play-in spot. The Knicks enter this contest on a 4-game losing streak (Trail Blazers, Thunder, Nets, Heat). On Friday, the Knicks lost 115-100 to the Heat in an extremely disappointing fashion. RJ Barrett scored a career-high 46 points on 59 FG% and 54.5 3PT% while also grabbing 9 rebounds. However the rest of the Knicks were absolutely dreadful. Excluding Barrett, the Knicks only scored 54 points on 32 FG% and 27.5 3PT%. Jimmy Butler (23 points) and Tyler Herro (25 points) ensured that the Knicks would not be celebrating Barrett’s fantastic night. In this upcoming game against the 76ers, Quentin Grimes is a game time decision. Kemba Walker was shut down for the rest of the season, while Derrick Rose continues to be out. If Grimes cannot go, Immanuel Quickley will have even more responsibility on his shoulders as the main bench scorer and playmaker.
Philadelphia 76ers vs New York Knicks Betting Odds
The Knicks are 2-0 against the 76ers this season, but both wins occurred when the NBA landscape was still forming. On October 26th, the Knicks handily won 112-99 off of Fournier (18 points) and Randle (16 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists). In their next meeting on November 8th, the Knicks again prevailed 103-96 from Randle’s 31 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists. However, the 76ers were missing Embiid, Harris, and Thybulle. The 76ers also now roster offensive genius James Harden. In the third matchup on Sunday, I like the 76ers to avenge their early season woes and obliterate the Knicks. The 76ers own four of the best six players in this matchup while also carrying tremendous momentum going into this contest. The 76ers are going to light up the weak Knicks defense, and the Knicks won’t be able to break through this 76ers defense.
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TV Schedule
Date: 2/27/22
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Arena: Madison Square Garden – New York, NY
Channel: ABC
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Philadelphia 76ers Starting Lineup
PG: James Harden
SG: Tyrese Maxey
SF: Matisse Thybulle
PF: Tobias Harris
C: Joel Embiid
Philadelphia 76ers Analysis
What a debut for James Harden! The 76ers were a well-oiled machine with Harden and Embiid out there. Against the Knicks, Harden and Embiid should dominate their respective matchups. Alec Burks this season has been average at best guarding the pick and roll ball handler. Harden can exploit Burks in the pick and roll, forcing the Knicks to contemplate switching Barrett onto him. Barrett is a superior defender to Burks, but being the centerpiece of the offense while following Harden around defensively might wear Barrett out quickly. The Knicks can rest Barrett on defense by having him mark Thybulle, a non-threat on offense. Harden’s dives are deadly when Maxey and Harris are waiting to catch and shoot from three. If the 76ers want to increase the lethality even further, putting in Danny Green (37.7 3PT%) instead of Thybulle (28.7 3PT%) would accomplish this.
Embiid, meanwhile, faces off against the interior defense of Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson. Robinson is a decent rim protector, but the two Knicks commit fouls too often. Julius Randle is 10th in total personal fouls, while Mitchell Robinson is 25th. On the flip side, Embiid averages the most free throw attempts per game (11.3) in the NBA, while Harden (8.0) is 4th on that list. If Randle and Robinson get in foul trouble early, the Knicks would rely on rookie Jericho Sims to anchor the paint, a terrifying thought for the Knicks considering the competition. While the production of every player matters, the 76ers have a strong chance to win if Harden and Embiid play to their potential. Their production has a trickle-down effect, leading the offense to run smoothly.
New York Knicks Starting Lineup
PG: Alec Burks
SG: Evan Fournier
SF: RJ Barrett
PF: Julius Randle
C: Mitchell Robinson
New York Knicks Analysis
The Knicks not only need Barrett to have another monster game, but also the rest of the team to produce with him. The odds of Barrett repeating with a similar performance are slim because of Matisse Thybulle and Joel Embiid. Thybulle was partly responsible for neutralizing Anthony Edwards, and he will likely follow Barrett in this matchup. Barrett rarely shoots from 10 feet to the three point line and prefers driving to the paint. Embiid is an elite rim protector who can alter Barrett’s shots all night. Barrett has a tough night in store for him, but he will likely produce decent numbers because of volume.
The Knicks must win the bench battle because the starting lineup looks weak compared to the 76ers starting lineup. Immanuel Quickley, Cam Reddish, and Obi Toppin lead the Knicks bench. Quickley and Reddish are capable of scoring 15 points, but they have been inefficient this season with a 36.9 FG% and 39.6 FG%, respectively. Toppin does his damage in the paint, and the Knicks will need every point he can muster. The bench needs to play extraordinarily well just for the Knicks to have a fighting chance in this one. The Knicks need too many factors to go their way to realistically feel good about their chances.
Philadelphia 76ers vs New York Knicks Daily Fantasy Picks
I like Embiid, Harden, and Barrett to produce numbers in this matchup. As is the case in every 76es game, Embiid is a must-play in fantasy. Embiid’s been playing so well that 30 points and 10 rebounds is an off-night for him. Robinson is a decent defender, but he could quickly get into foul trouble with no adequate backup available. Harden, meanwhile, faces off against an exploitable perimeter defense. Robinson’s foul trouble also boosts the lethality of Harden’s drives. I expect Harden to flirt with a triple-double and score 25+ points. The Harden-Embiid duo looks unstoppable, and the 76ers will be eager to get Harden his touches. Barrett faces a tough defense, but volume is one of the most important factors in fantasy. Barrett is the go-to scorer and ball handler at the moment, so he should fill the box-score because of opportunity. Look for Barrett to score 25+ points with a few assists and rebounds.
