New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers Picks and Predictions for Friday October 30 2026
I watched Philadelphia beat New York 106-100 earlier this season, and there’s something about that game that sticks with me. The Knicks never looked particularly comfortable. They had their chances, sure, but when it came time to make a few baskets late, Philadelphia handled things a little better.
Now they’re playing in Philly. That’s enough to get me looking at the Sixers again.
The Knicks and 76ers meet Friday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena, with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 PM ET. It’s an NBA Cup game on Prime Video. Philadelphia is a 3.5-point favorite at some books, although I’ve seen the spread closer to 1.5 elsewhere. The total is around 230.5. I’m not interested in laying a bunch of points here. I think Philadelphia wins, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re watching a two-point game with a minute left. Get prepared for all the NBA games with our free NBA picks.
New York Knicks Have Been Hard to Trust
New York comes in at 2-3, although the Knicks have won their last two. They beat Detroit 111-97 Tuesday and followed that up with a 133-127 win over Chicago Wednesday. That Chicago game was something else. The Knicks finally got their offense moving, but then they turned around and let the Bulls score 127. You can’t keep doing that and expect to win against better teams.
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And that’s what bothers me about New York right now. They’re scoring just under 110 a game and giving up about the same amount. Some nights the defense looks good. Other nights, like Wednesday, they’re trading baskets with a Chicago team that hasn’t been able to stop anybody. The Knicks have been shooting around 45 percent, which isn’t terrible, but they still go through stretches where getting a decent shot looks harder than it should. Philadelphia made them work in that first meeting. I expect more of the same Friday.
Jalen Brunson is averaging 25.8 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns is pulling down 13.8 rebounds a game. Those two can cause plenty of trouble. Brunson especially. Give him a close game in the fourth quarter and he’ll find a way to get a shot he likes. Tyler Kolek has been handing out seven assists a night, too. Jose Alvarado’s ankle injury leaves New York a little thinner in the backcourt. The Knicks aren’t short on talent, but I’m not convinced they’re playing their best basketball yet.
Philadelphia 76ers Have Been Getting It Done
Philadelphia is 4-1, and I like the way the Sixers have responded when something goes wrong. Detroit held them to 93 points Sunday and beat them by 13. Not a good night. So what happened next? Philadelphia went into Indiana Wednesday and won 114-109. That’s what I want to see from a team I’m betting. You have a bad game, you don’t spend the next week feeling sorry for yourself.
The Sixers have been scoring 110.8 points and allowing 107.4. Nothing spectacular there. They’re just doing enough things right. They’re shooting about 47 percent from the floor and 37 percent from three, and they haven’t needed to play at some crazy pace to win. That’s important against New York. The Knicks would probably love to turn this into a physical, half-court game. Philadelphia already beat them playing that way. Why should the Sixers be worried about doing it again?
Tyrese Maxey is averaging 28.4 points, and he’s been the guy Philadelphia can count on when the offense gets stuck. Joel Embiid is grabbing ten rebounds a night, and LeBron James has been giving them 6.8 assists. That’s a lot for New York to deal with, especially if the Knicks are having another one of those nights where their defense comes and goes. Philadelphia does have some frontcourt injuries, including Dominick Barlow, Ariel Hukporti and Tacko Fall. Jabari Walker has been dealing with a knee problem as well. But the Sixers have been finding ways to win without a full roster.
New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers Picks and Predictions
Philadelphia 76ers Moneyline (-154)
Give me Philadelphia. I know New York has won two straight, and Brunson is perfectly capable of stealing this game late. That’s why I’m not laying the 3.5 points. But the Sixers already beat the Knicks once, they’re playing at home, and I trust their defense a little more. New York scoring 133 against Chicago doesn’t change much for me. Chicago has been giving up points to everybody. Philadelphia isn’t going to hand the Knicks those same looks. I think this stays close, maybe uncomfortably close, but the Sixers make enough plays in the final few minutes to get the win.
Under 230.5 Points (-110)
I’m going Under 230.5. These teams played a 106-100 game the first time, and I don’t see either one suddenly deciding to run up and down the floor for 48 minutes. Philadelphia has been allowing about 107 a game, and New York normally wants to play a more controlled style. Sure, the Knicks just played a 260-point game in Chicago. But that was Chicago. I don’t think the Sixers are going to let New York get that comfortable. My concern is a close game turning into a free-throw contest late, because that can ruin a perfectly good Under. Still, I like something around 112-108 Philadelphia.
Final Picks: Philadelphia 76ers Moneyline (-154) and Under 230.5 Points (-110)
Preview revised October 29, 2026.
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