New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia leaned on its defense to stay alive in Game 5 on Tuesday, a 112-106 overtime victory. They forced 14 turnovers and held the Knicks to 10-of-36 shooting (27.8%) from long range. During the regular season, the 76ers were ninth in points given up, 11th in field goal shooting allowed, and sixth at defending beyond the arc. It's going to be a tough task to force a Game 7 as the Knicks have a winning road record, including a 97-92 victory here in Game 4 as a +5 dog. New York had the second-best defense in points surrendered and has another attempt to close out the series. They also won here in February, 110-96, as an underdog. The Knicks are 54-37 UNDER the total after losing two of three. Philadelphia star Joel Embiid (knee) is not 100% and is questionable to play. With so much at stake, expect a fierce defensive effort all the way and the visitors to win the game. Take New York on the moneyline + UNDER the total. 

Philadelphia was ninth in the NBA defensively during the regular season in points given up and 11th in shooting allowed. They will have to lean on that defense, down 3-to-1 in the series and playing on the road. This team is barely a .500 team on the road this season and they are sub-.500 in division games, getting outscored by two points per game in these matchups. This is clearly a big mis-match and I believe the Knicks close this one out tonight. Nick Nurse seems to have trouble motivating his team after an embarrassing defeat as the 76ers are just 3-11 straight-up this season following an upset loss. New York was second defensively in points given up. They’ve held the 76ers to 105.5 points per game in four playoff contests, nine points fewer than Philadelphia averaged during the season. Meanwhile, New York is 16-6 this season after scoring 105 or fewer points and 20-5 the past two seasons after a game in which they scored 100 or fewer points. In his time in New York, Tom Thibodeau is 29-13 in April games and 42-29 after scoring 100 or fewer points. The 76ers are 53-35 UNDER the total as an underdog.The Knicks are 17-7 UNDER the total after scoring 100 or fewer points and 27-16 UNDER after playing a game that went UNDER. With so much at stake, look for another intense defensive duel. Back the Knicks for the win here and take the UNDER.

Joel Embiid exploded for 50 points and Philadelphia shot 54.1 percent and cut the series deficit to 2-1 with a 125-114 win over the Knicks on Thursday. It was the third quarter that made the difference as Embiid scored 18 points and New York was outscored 43-27. The Knicks shot 49 percent and hit 13 of 30 3-point tries and still did not even cover the 5.5 point spread. The 76ers have won 10 of their past 12 games and are 12-2 ATS their past 14 games. Embiid was the star of Game 3, but the Sixers also got big contributions from Tyrese Maxey, who scored 25 points, and Kelly Oubre Jr. added 15. Five of the past seven meetings have gone UNDER and look for a more defensive battle compared to Thursday's game. Philadelphia is 20-6 UNDER versus teams with winning records and 13-4 UNDER its past 17 playoff games as a favorite. New York is 15-6 UNDER its past 21 playoff games as an underdog. Take the 76ers on the moneyline and the UNDER.

Philadelphia is doing its annual playoff swoon as it already is down 2-0 in the first round and it is now in a must-win situation against the Knicks, who have won five of the past six meetings, and all but one went UNDER. New York is on a seven-game win streak, including the last four games of the regular season following a 104-101 victory on Monday. Donte DiVincenzo made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 13 seconds left and the Knicks won despite Jalen Brunson hitting only eight of 29 from the field. New York is 10-4 UNDER with two days rest and the 76ers are 20-6 UNDER against teams with winning records. Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey combined for 69 points on Monday, but New York held everyone else to 10 points or fewer. Take the Knicks/Sixers to stay UNDER as a Max Play.

Combine the Knicks (-185) and the Nuggets (-280) into a 2-team parlay at +109 odds.