Knicks Favored by 3.5 Over 76ers

New York Knicks bettors face a 3.5-point spread against the Philadelphia 76ers in Friday's NBA Cup group play opener. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Xfinity Mobile Arena. The Knicks enter the contest as 2-3, while the 76ers hold a 4-1 record.

FanDuel lists the Knicks at -115 for the moneyline, requiring a victory by four or more points to cover the spread. The 76ers sit at +124 on the moneyline. SportsLine models assign New York a 66% probability to win outright and a 64% chance to cover the point spread. The total points line is set at 225.5, with the under priced at -110.

The market shift reflects New York's recent offensive output. The Knicks erased a 19-point deficit against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, finishing with a 133-127 win. Jalen Brunson scored 38 points and hit six three-pointers in that game. OG Anunoby added 23 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns grabbed 13 rebounds. New York made 22 of 48 attempts from beyond the arc.

Prior to the Chicago game, the Knicks' first four contests produced between 206 and 213 combined points. The 260-point total against Chicago represents a statistical outlier compared to that early-season baseline. Philadelphia has finished below 228.5 points in four of its five games. The exception was a 243-point contest against Milwaukee. Philadelphia's most recent game against Indiana ended with a combined 223 points.

The 76ers won the season series opener on October 20 at Madison Square Garden. Philadelphia prevailed 106-100 in that matchup. Tyrese Maxey scored 28 points in that victory. LeBron James contributed 14 points in his debut for the 76ers. New York shot 37.2% from the field and struggled to score after halftime during that loss.

Philadelphia's roster performed well in their latest win as well. Maxey scored 27 points in a 114-109 victory over Indiana on Wednesday. Joel Embiid provided 21 points and 11 rebounds. Jaylen Brown added 20 points and 10 rebounds, while James distributed 10 assists. The 76ers average 110.8 points per game and allow 107.4 points per game over their first five contests.

New York's previous win against Detroit on Tuesday relied on defensive balance. The Knicks outscored the Pistons 37-13 in the third quarter to secure an 111-97 victory. That performance contrasts with the fourth-quarter surge that defined the Chicago game. SportsLine forecasts a 117-110 New York victory for Friday's matchup.