TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASKETBALL SELECTION TUESDAY, MARCH 16TH
#526 PHILADELPHIA (-7) over New York at 8 PM EST
On a roll off five straight wins and covers, the 76ers will have no trouble racing past the Knicks in this Eastern Conference matchup. New York enters this contest playing a little bit better on a respectable 11-7 SU and 13-5 ATS run. However, off last night’s battle at Brooklyn, the Boys from the Big Apple will run out of gas in this spot.
The History Book will certainly be helping the Sixers in this contest. In the last 13 meetings, Philadelphia has posted a golden 13-0 SU and 8-4-1 ATS mark against New York including a spotless 8-0 SU and 7-0-1 ATS if the Knicks enter off a road war. Equally impressive, the 76ers have been lights out when playing in its own backyard inking a solid 107-21 SU and 80-46-2 ATS mark in their last 128 games including an elite 63-10 SU and 49-22-2 ATS if their opponent checks in without confidence off a straight up loss. With those two parameters in play and Philly facing a conference foe, this team trend explodes to a lucrative 45-6 SU and 39-12 ATS.
This is a difficult wagering spot for New York too. When battling in the second of a back-to-back, the Knicks have struggled posting a soft 28-86 SU and 43-69-2 ATS record provided their opponent arrives off two or more straight up wins. In this role battling a conference foe, head coach Tom Thibodeau’s boys slip down to a dismal 18-52 SU and 22-47-1 ATS including a nasty 14-35 SU and 11-37-1 ATS provided they hold a team won/loss percentage of .394 or better.
The Sixers have been in a zone inside the Wells Fargo Center and they’re catching the Knicks at a vulnerable time. Take Philadelphia. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.