Joel Embiid is finally set to make his season debut for the Philadelphia 76ers. Can the visiting New York Knicks spoil his return?

AWAY: New York Knicks (4-5, 2-4 AWAY)

Projected starting five:

  • Jalen Brunson
  • Mikal Bridges
  • Josh Hart
  • OG Anunoby
  • Karl-Anthony Towns

The Knicks continued their underwhelming start as they went back to the losing column on Monday after falling to the Indiana Pacers, 132-121, putting them at a 1-3 stretch over their last four. They are netting 114.4 points per game while surrendering 111.2 on defense this season.

Karl-Anthony Towns (25.0 PPG) and Jalen Brunson (24.9 PPG) are averaging identical scoring numbers while anchoring the interior and overall facilitation, respectively. While it’s solid enough on paper, they obviously have to do better. Towns will be in a marquee matchup against the debuting Joel Embiid, so he may be in an active mood on both ends. Brunson is likewise in an interesting battle as he’ll be opposite savvy veterans and role players.

Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and OG Anunoby will also be intriguing as they have an advantage overall despite being collectively tasked to handle Paul George. In any case, Bridges (15.3 PPG) has been lukewarm based on the pre-season projections, and is still looking to capture some momentum.

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HOME: Philadelphia 76ers (2-7, 1-3 HOME)

Projected starting five:

  • Tyrese Maxey (out) / Kyle Lowry
  • Caleb Martin
  • Kelly Oubre
  • Paul George
  • Joel Embiid

The Sixers have started rough due to absences by All-Stars Joel Embiid (nine games) and Paul George (five games) – Tyrese Maxey (hamstring) also got sidelined this past week. They are only 2-7 with a -7.6 net rating, ranked 26th in the league (107.0 PPG, 114.6 PAPG).

However, though Maxey is still out, Monday’s 107-105 win vs. the Charlotte Hornets, which snapped a five-game losing streak, might be a start into something good. The bench showed out as rookie Jared McCain had 27 points and Guershon Yabusele added 20, and it’s also just in time for Embiid’s return this Wednesday. The 2023 MVP will be pumped for his first game of the season, and it’s only an added bonus because he is surely looking forward to this rematch with the Knicks, the team that eliminated them in the 2024 playoffs.

Fans do hope George and Oubre Jr. can feed off the energy from Embiid’s return, though. Both have been in a funk, the former is only shooting 38.9% on 14.3 PPG thus far, while the latter has gone just 7-of-26 in his last two outings.

PICKS:

Spread: Knicks (-1.5)

Over/Under: Over (216)

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