2024 NBA picks, March 12 best bets from proven computer model
Two teams looking to avoid the play-in tournament in the Eastern Conference will square off when the New York Knicks host the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday. Just two games separate the No. 4 seed in the East, the Knicks (37-27), and the No. 8 seed, the Heat (35-29), while the 76ers (36-28) sit in sixth in the conference. The top six teams in the East will avoid the play-in tournament, which will feature the teams ranked seventh through 10th playing for a spot in the postseason.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden in New York City. New York is listed as a 6-point favorite in the latest Knicks vs. 76ers odds, per SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 207.5. Before making any 76ers vs. Knicks picks or NBA predictions, be sure to see the NBA predictions from SportsLine’s proven model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 21 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 70-46 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning nearly $2,200. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Knicks vs. 76ers. You can visit SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are several NBA betting lines and trends for Sixers vs. Knicks:
Knicks vs. 76ers spread: New York -6
Knicks vs. 76ers over/under: 207.5 points
Knicks vs. 76ers money line: New York -245, Philadelphia +199
NYK: Knicks rank second in the league in scoring defense (108.8 points per game)
PHI: Tyrese Maxey ranks 14th in the league in scoring (26.0 points per game)
Knicks vs. 76ers picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Knicks can cover
Tom Thibodeau’s team is playing elite defense. New York is allowing just 108.8 points per game, which ranks second in the league, behind only the Timberwolves. The Knicks also rank seventh in defensive efficiency, allowing just 112.7 points per 100 possessions.
In addition, New York could get a boost with the return of OG Anunoby on Tuesday night. According to reports, Anunoby is possible to get back into the lineup against the Sixers after being out since Jan. 27 due to an elbow injury. New York went 12-2 in 14 games after acquiring Anunoby from the Raptors, outscoring opponents by 252 points in the 500 minutes he played. See whom to back at SportsLine.
Why the 76ers can cover
Maxey has cleared the league’s concussion protocol and is no longer on the injury report, so he will be available to play against the Knicks. The star guard has missed the team’s last four games since he suffered the concussion on March 3. Maxey’s availability would be significant for Philadelphia as he averages 26.0 points per game, which ranks 14th in the league.
In addition, the 76ers enter Tuesday’s game knowing they beat the Knicks just two days ago. On Sunday, Philadelphia held New York to 73 points and just 32.5% shooting in a 79-73 victory. The 73 points are the fewest scored by any NBA team this season. See whom to back at SportsLine.
How to make Knicks vs. 76ers picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 222 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits over 50% of the time. You can see the picks only at SportsLine.