76ers vs. Knicks: NBA Prediction, Picks and Prop Bets (Opening Night)

76ers vs. Knicks Top Bets at a Glance

• Jalen Brunson Over 6.5 Assists (-118)
• Knicks -5.5 (-105)

The New York Knicks begin their title defense Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden against a Philadelphia 76ers team that enters the season with plenty of intrigue.

New York brings back the core of last year's championship roster, led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, while Philadelphia will look to see how quickly its revamped group can mesh around Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. With two Eastern Conference contenders meeting on opening night, there are several interesting betting angles to consider.

Which NBA odds from FanDuel Sportsbook look like the best bets for today’s game? You can also check out our player news page to stay up to date with injury news.

Please note lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published. Bets in this article may be pulled from our other NBA content.

Knicks vs. 76ers Picks, Props and Prediction

Jalen Brunson Over 6.5 Assists (-118)

Jalen Brunson is best known for his scoring, but his playmaking makes the over on 6.5 assists an intriguing way to attack today’s Philadelphia 76ers-New York Knicks clash.

Brunson averaged exactly 6.8 assists per game last season while playing 35.0 minutes per contest. That represented a significant chunk of the Knicks' offensive creation, and his 503 total assists came alongside a relatively modest 2.4 turnovers per game.

New York has plenty of players capable of converting the looks Brunson creates. Karl-Anthony Towns can score both inside and outside, while Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby give Brunson multiple catch-and-shoot options when defenses load up on his drives.

Brunson's own scoring ability also forces opponents to send extra attention his way, which should create assist chances.

With Philadelphia having to account for Brunson every time he turns the corner in pick-and-roll, I like his chances of finding enough open teammates to surpass this line.

Knicks -5.5 (-105)

The defending champs open the season at home against a Philly team that generated a lot of headlines this offseason.

Philadelphia has plenty of star power after adding LeBron James and Jaylen Brown to a group featuring Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. But assembling that much high-usage talent creates some obvious questions about how quickly everything will click offensively.

The Knicks don’t have the same continuity concerns. The Knicks return the core of a championship roster built around Brunson and KAT, giving them a much more established foundation entering opening night.

There was also a massive swing in last season's series. Philadelphia won the first two meetings at Madison Square Garden, but New York responded by winning both games in Philadelphia. The second of those was a 138-89 demolition in which the Knicks shot 52.7% from the field, 45.5% from three, and handed out 41 assists. The Knicks then swept Philly in the second round of the playoffs.

With New York getting its championship celebration at home and Philadelphia potentially needing some time to sort out its new-look squad, the Knicks to cover is my favorite spread bet on Opening Day.

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NBA Betting Frequently Asked Questions

What is the point spread in NBA betting?

The point spread is a handicap applied to the favored team to level the playing field. For example, if the Lakers are -6.5 against the Celtics, the Lakers must win by 7 or more points for a bet on them to pay out. A bet on the Celtics wins if Boston wins outright or loses by 6 points or fewer.

What does the moneyline mean in NBA betting?

A moneyline bet is a straight-up wager on which team wins — no spread involved. Odds use American format: a favorite is listed with a minus sign (e.g., -180), meaning a wager of $180 would win $100. An underdog carries a plus sign (e.g., +155), meaning a $100 bet would return $155 profit.

What is an over/under (total) bet in the NBA?

FanDuel will set a projected combined score for both teams. You bet whether the actual total points will go Over or Under that number. For example, if the total is 224.5, an Over bet wins if both teams combine for 225 or more points.

What are NBA player props?

Player prop bets focus on individual statistical performances rather than game outcomes. Common NBA props include points scored, rebounds, assists, three-pointers made, steals, and combined stat lines (e.g., Points + Rebounds + Assists). You bet whether the player goes Over or Under the sportsbook's posted line.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author’s advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.