The NBA Regular Season kicks off with the Philadelphia 76ers taking on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Both teams are eager to start strong, and fans can catch the action on NBC at 7:00 PM on October 20, 2026. Both teams have new lineups ready for the season opener.
Philadelphia’s head coach, Nick Nurse, will look to lead his team after a 1-3 preseason. The 76ers have notable players like LeBron James and Joel Embiid ready to make an impact. On the other side, the Knicks, coached by Mike Brown, also finished their preseason at 1-4. The team will rely on players like Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns to set the pace at home.
Philadelphia 76ers Team Preview
The Philadelphia 76ers have had a challenging preseason with losses in their recent games. On October 16, 2026, they lost to the Boston Celtics by 5 points with a final score of 125-120. Joel Embiid led the team with 27 points and 8 rebounds.
In an earlier game on October 10, 2026, the 76ers suffered a heavy loss to the Celtics by 38 points, ending with a score of 144-106. VJ Edgecombe scored 19 points and added 4 assists. Labaron Philon Jr. contributed 14 points and 7 assists in that game.
The 76ers also faced the Brooklyn Nets on October 8, 2026, losing by 6 points with a score of 114-108. Jaylen Brown contributed 18 points and 2 rebounds. VJ Edgecombe also played well, scoring 11 points and grabbing 5 rebounds.
New York Knicks Team Preview
The New York Knicks recently played three preseason games. They won against the Toronto Raptors at home with a score of 122-120. In that game, Karl-Anthony Towns had 13 points, 15 rebounds, and 9 assists.
In another game against the Raptors away, the Knicks lost 98-148. James Wiseman stood out with 18 points and 10 rebounds. The team struggled with a shooting percentage of 39.5%.
Jalen Brunson has been a key player in the preseason. He averages 16.2 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. However, the Knicks are facing some uncertainty with Josh Hart’s ankle injury.
Betting Prediction
With the Knicks favored by 4.5 points, betting on the Knicks to cover the spread looks like a good option. They are the favorites, suggesting they are expected to win by at least 5 points. The odds also indicate the Knicks are seen as the stronger team.
The Knicks’ moneyline is at -175, which shows confidence in their ability to win. This suggests they have a good chance of not just winning but also covering the spread. The 76ers’ moneyline at +147 indicates they are the underdogs, making a win for them less likely.
Even though both teams lack specific season stats, the odds help guide the prediction. The Knicks being favorites suggests they have an edge over the 76ers. Betting on the Knicks to cover the spread aligns with the odds favoring them to perform well in this game.
- Pick: Knicks -4.5
