Knicks vs. 76ers: NBA Eastern Conference Rivals Meet Inside the Wells Fargo Center

New York Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers
Wednesday, 3/21/12, 7:00 PM EST, TV: ESPN
Opening Point Spread: Philadelphia -4
Current Betting Line: Philadelphia -4
Opening Total: 194.5
Current Total: 192
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony is averaging 24.5 points and 9.0 rebounds versus the Philadelphia 76ers this year

New York has won four games in a row since head coach Mike D’Antoni’s resignation, including a 106-87 win over the Toronto Raptors as 8.5-point home favorites on Tuesday night. The Knicks have captured the last four contests by an average of 22.5 points per game and forward Carmelo Anthony couldn’t be happier. “Guys are playing at a very high, confident level right now,” commented Anthony. The team is 8-14 on the road overall, including a 6-7 mark versus Eastern Conference opponents. New York is 9-13 ATS on the road and the “under” is 15-7 in those games.

The Knicks will begin a two-game road trip against the Philadelphia 76ers inside the Wells Fargo Center, as this will be the third and final meeting between the two sides. Both earlier meetings were played inside Madison Square Garden, with New York tallying a 85-79 victory on Jan. 11, while Philadelphia captured a 106-94 win on March 11. This contest will mark the backend of the team’s 16th of 21 back-to-back sets, as the franchise is 5-10 when playing the second game. Anthony has averaged 24.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists in two meetings with tonight’s opponent during the 2011-12 campaign.

Philadelphia snapped a three-game losing streak in registering a 105-80 win over the Charlotte Bobcats as 10-point road favorites on Monday night. The Sixers outscored the Bobcats by a 59-36 margin in the second half and won the battle on the glass by 20 rebounds. The franchise is 16-9 when playing at home this season, including a 12-4 mark versus Eastern Conference foes. Philadelphia is 16-5 ATS when playing a team with a losing record this year.

The Sixers have held the Knicks under 100 points in eight of the last nine meetings and will want to get shooting guard Evan Turner the ball on the offensive end. He has averaged just 6.0 points on 26.3 percent shooting over the past two games, but has averaged 20.0 points and 11.0 rebounds versus New York this season. Philadelphia has posted a dismal 6-11 record over its past 17 games, but still has one of the best records in the East due to opening the year with 20 wins in its first 29 games.