Predictions, Best Bets & Splits for Knicks vs 76ers (Game 3)

• The New York Knicks look to take a 3-0 series stranglehold over the Philadelphia 76ers Friday evening
• Joel Embiid’s health status looms large as Philly fights to avoid a colossal 3-0 series hole
• See the betting odds and my best bets for this crucial Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup below

The Eastern Conference Semifinals shift to Xfinity Mobile Arena for Game 3 Friday night, as the 76ers welcome the Knicks to town. Coverage begins at 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT, broadcasting live on Amazon Prime Video in the United States and Sportsnet in Canada. The New York Knicks currently hold a commanding 2-0 series lead, outscoring Philly by 45 points in the two duels in the Big Apple. The NBA odds show that the home squad are slight favorites to make this a series by winning Game 3.

The biggest storyline impacting the odds is the health of Joel Embiid, who missed Game 2 with an ankle injury. Below I dive into the odds for this skirmish, plus break down an intriguing NBA Player Props to wager on.

Knicks vs 76ers Picks & Predictions

• Pick: New York Knicks Moneyline (-102 at BetMGM)

The 76ers return home as -118 moneyline favorites, and going against them in this exact spot has been a bankroll killer. Philly is a dominant 11-1 straight-up at home as a favorite over their last twelve affairs. They also cover when the lights are brightest, going 4-1 ATS in their last five playoff contests.

However, the Knicks are an absolute juggernaut on the road, boasting a 21.4 Net Rating away from home in these playoffs. In addition, including postseason battles, New York has won six straight and eight of nine in Philadelphia. It’s a big reason why they have the shortest number in the NBA Championship odds among Eastern Conference teams.

• Best Player Prop: Tyrese Maxey Over 24.5 Points (-115 at Fanatics)

From a player prop perspective, my eyes are locked on Tyrese Maxey. With Embiid banged up, Maxey has to step up and score from the perimeter if the Sixers want to get back into this series.

New York’s elite rebounding rate (54.9%) limits second-chance opportunities, meaning Philadelphia needs primary shot creators to hit difficult shots. Maxey’s projected usage rate spikes without Embiid fully healthy, making his 24.5-point consensus line a high-value target against a stout New York defense.

In six of nine playoff battles, Maxey has reached at least 25 points. He’s also reached that threshold in seven of ten times squaring off vs the Knicks.

NYK VS PHI Public Betting Splits & Market Action

In the NBA public betting splits, the most glaring consensus on the board is in the totals market. The public is blindly expecting a high-scoring affair, with an wild 86% of the tickets and 87% of the total handle backing the Over.

On the moneyline, there’s a noticeable gap between the ticket count and the handle. The former leans toward the underdog Knicks at 52%, but the latter tells a completely different story. A solid 59% of the moneyline cash is riding on the 76ers to win outright.

Meanwhile, the spread market sees New York pulling 62% of the wagers and 57% of the cash to cover as road underdogs.

Knicks vs 76ers Injury Report

If Embiid is limited or sidelined, Philadelphia loses its primary offensive hub and rim protector, heavily impacting the Sixers team totals. For New York, OG Anunoby’s status is vital; without his perimeter defense, Maxey’s path to hitting his points prop becomes significantly easier. Be sure to check the NBA starting lineups to see the updated statuses as it gets closer to tip-off Friday night.

Knicks vs 76ers Odds

Odds as of May 7, 2026. Check out the full list of DraftKings deposit methods before betting on Knicks vs 76ers.

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The odds for Game 3 paint the picture of a tightly contested affair, with sportsbooks giving a slight edge to the home team. The Sixers opened as 1.5-point favorites and that line has held steady despite the heavy public ticket count on the Knicks, further validating the sharp money resting on Philadelphia.

If you were to place a $100 wager on the favored Sixers at -118, you’d make $85 plus the $100 stake for a $185 total. That same wager on the -102 underdog Knicks pays out $98 for a $198 payout.