Impact of Joel Embiid's Absence on 76ers-Knicks Game 2 Odds
The news of Joel Embiid being ruled out of Wednesday's Game 2 against the New York Knicks due to hip and ankle soreness has significantly altered the betting landscape. Following the announcement, the Knicks have shifted from 7.5-point favorites to 10.5-point favorites. This change reflects their strong performance, having won their last four playoff games by impressive margins of 16, 29, 51, and 39 points. Additionally, their money line odds improved from -294 to -426 at Madison Square Garden. Despite this setback, the Philadelphia 76ers have experience in managing Embiid's absences. This season, they have played 47 games without him, achieving a record of 22-25. In contrast, they stand at 27-16 with Embiid in the lineup. Notably, just two weeks prior, the 76ers secured a 111-97 victory against the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series without him. Embiid's contributions have been pivotal, particularly in the deciding Game 7 against the Celtics, where he scored 34 points, collected 12 rebounds, and dished out six assists, leading to a 109-100 upset. In contrast, during Game 1 against the Knicks, he struggled, scoring only 14 points on 3-of-11 shooting and pulling down four rebounds. The 76ers faced a heavy defeat, losing 137-98. The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates each NBA game 10,000 times, initially gave New York a 67% chance to cover the spread, a figure that remains unchanged despite the line's increase following the Embiid news.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-05-06