The 76’s are 31-8 with Embiid in the lineup this season. Having him back healthy is an edge for this team against the New York Knicks who are without Julius Randall for the season. The Knicks did beat Philadelphia early this season with Embiid in the lineup so the 76s are playing with some revenge in this game. Philadelphia did get one win this season versus the Knicks in New York, blowing them out in that game. For the most part, the Knicks have dominated the series and come into this series on an eight game win streak. The Knicks will have trouble covering Embiid without Randall in the lineup and this series is going to be a closely contested one. The 76’s have played better defense with Embiid’s return and have allowed 5 points less to opponents than their season average of 108. The 76’s also have bodies to throw at Brunson and make it difficult for the Knicks to shoot. Philadelphia has covered ten of their last eleven games and come into this series with a lot of momentum. They also have one of the best coaches in the league in Nick Nurse who already won a championship with the Raptors, so that experience will help them greatly in this series to try and even it out. The 76’s are 5-0 against the spread in their last five games on the road this season. This team will be tough in this series as they come in with a lot of momentum and they are 24-18 on the road against the spread this season. In this first game, this is the best chance for Philadelphia to steal a win and nullify the home court advantage that the Knicks have, so take any points.

Best bet: take Philadelphia and the points.