Philadelphia at New York

The Knicks raise their championship banner tonight against the team they swept out of the second round in May, four games to none. New York finished 53-29 last season, and Philadelphia finished 45-37. The Knicks scored 116.5 points a game and allowed 110.1, while the 76ers scored 115.9 and allowed 116.1. Those Philadelphia figures belong to a roster without LeBron James or Jaylen Brown. Both are in the projected starting five beside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, and Embiid carries no injury designation after Nick Nurse said he is ready to go. New York brings back Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart, though Mitchell Robinson left for Boston in free agency and Andre Drummond is the veteran added at center. Philadelphia is thin at center behind Embiid, with Ariel Hukporti out for the season after rupturing his Achilles in the preseason opener against these same Knicks. I'm taking the 76ers with the points tonight because the team that was swept in May didn't have either James or Brown.