Tip-off: Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Philadelphia -4.5, Total: 211.5

The surging Knicks look to take over the sixth spot from the 76ers and go into the playoffs playing inspired basketball. Philadelphia holds a lead of just one-half game, but, both teams have already clinched postseason berths.

After a rough 10-game stretch (1-9 SU), New York has won four straight and looks to make it five against a familiar Eastern Conference foe. The Knicks are on their way to the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons. Finishing sixth or seventh may not matter with the Celtics and Heat battling it out for the second slot. If Carmelo Anthony (25.5 PPG) can shoot like he did Tuesday night, going 5-of-7 from downtown, the Knicks may give an Eastern Conference power a tough first-round series. Anthony and the Knicks put on a shooting clinic at Madison Square Garden in a 131-118 victory over the Raptors on Tuesday. New York scored 78 points in the first half and shot 12-for-16 from behind the arc before halftime. The Knicks finished with 131 points and shot 57.7% from the field. Toney Douglas (10.4 PPG) who will provide big games from time to time, scored 28 points on 10-for-15 shooting (6-of-9 on three-pointers).

The Philadelphia 76ers have won 14 of 17 against Eastern Conference opponents at home this year and look to continue that against the streaking Knicks. The 76ers have been exciting at home this year notching a 25-12 SU (68%) record. Philadelphia is filled with young talent such as second-year player Jrue Holiday, who is averaging 13.9 PPG, 6.3 APG and has led the inexperienced team at the point guard position. Jodie Meeks (10.6 PPG) and Evan Turner (7.1 PPG) also are young guards that give the team a nice added boost. Turner came off the bench Tuesday and scored 21 points in a 99-82 loss to the Celtics. Philadelphia looks to get Elton Brand (14.8 PPG) going, who has been playing through a broken hand. Brand is averaging 27.0 PPG and 9.3 RPG against the Knicks this season and will try to get this young team rolling into the playoffs.

Philadelphia (46-31 ATS, 60%) and New York (42-32 ATS, 57%) rank third and fourth, respectively in the NBA in terms of ATS records. The Knicks are 24-9 ATS (73%) as an underdog and 22-11 ATS (67%) against teams with winning records. The Knicks are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games overall, but in the past 10 meetings between these two teams, the road team is 8-2 ATS. The 76ers also are a team that likes a shootout, going 25-12 ATS (68%) against teams who score 99.0 PPG or more. Even though Philadelphia is 23-14 ATS (62%) at home, I think New York, which has been playing terrific basketball will win in a close, high-scoring game. Two more FoxSheets trends that support the Knicks are:

NEW YORK is 18-6 ATS (75.0%, +11.4 Units) as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points this season. The average score was NEW YORK 103.9, OPPONENT 106.7 - (Rating = 2*).

NEW YORK is 27-15 ATS (64.3%, +10.5 Units) after a game where they covered the spread this season. The average score was NEW YORK 108.8, OPPONENT 107.0 - (Rating = 1*).