Trent Reinsmith
- What: Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks
- Date: Sunday, December 25, 2022
- Location: Madison Square Garden in New York City
- Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: ESPN
The NBA’s Christmas Day schedule for 2022 kicks off at noon with an Eastern Conference matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks. The two Atlantic Division teams both have winning records as the annual NBA holiday games near.
Philadelphia is the No. 5 team in the Eastern Conference with a 16-12 record. The cub is five games behind the conference-leading Boston Celtics. New York has played one more game than the 76ers, but they are a half-game behind Philadelphia in the standings with a record of 16-13. Both teams are in position to make the playoffs at the end of the 2023 NBA season.
Before we dive into the betting breakdown for the 2022 Christmas Day NBA matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks, check out our guide to betting on the 2023 NBA Finals and our tips for betting on the NBA.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks picks – December 25, 2022
| Teams |  |
| Philadelphia 76ers | -160 |
| New York Knicks | +140 |
Philadelphia 76ers breakdown
Philadelphia has not been a very good road team during the first quarter of the 2023 NBA season. The 76ers are 5-7 on the road.
Joel Embiid is leading the NBA in scoring this year with 33.3 points per game. As Embiid goes, so goes the Philly basketball team. Not only does the 28-year-old lead the team in scoring, but Embiid is tops on the club in rebounds (9.9), assists (4.7) and blocks (1.6). Philadelphia has two other players who are averaging more than 20 points per game in Tyrese Maxey (22.9) and James Harden (22.4). However, Maxey has not played since November 18 because of a foot injury and he has been unable to practice. Barring a miraculous recovery, Maxey will not play in the Christmas Day game.
Philadelphia averages 110.3 points per road game. As for the team’s scoring defense, the 76ers give up an average of 110.8 points per game. The team has lost its past three road games and has not won a game away from its home court since November 27.
New York Knicks breakdown
After finishing the 2022 NBA season with a 37-45 record and missing the playoffs for the eighth time in nine years, the Knicks look poised to play in the postseason in 2023 as the club is in the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks have a winning record on the road (9-6), but they are 7-7 playing at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
New York is being led by Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson in the 2023 NBA season. The 28-year-old Randle is tops on the Knicks in points (22.4) and rebounds (9.0). While the 26-year-old Brunson, who averages 20.5 points per game, is the team leader in assists (6.3) and steals (1.1). The only other player on the club who is averaging double digits in points is RJ Barrett with 19.2.
The Knicks average 116 points per game at home and give up 114.2 at MSG.
Our pick
The 76ers and Knicks have met once during the 2022-23 NBA season. That game took place in Philly in early November. New York triumphed in that matchup, winning 106-104 in a game that Joel Embiid did not play in because of illness.
Meanwhile, the Knicks have been playing incredible basketball as of late, including a 92-81 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 4.
I expect this will be a close game, but with the way Joel Embiid has been playing for the 76ers, I see the best bet in the Christmas Day NBA game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks is the 76ers to win.
Pick: Philadelphia 76ers to beat the New York Knick on Christmas Day.
Place these bets are the best online sportsbooks:
