We were unable to cash our third straight Look of the Day on Wednesday after Samford and Furman struggled their way to only 56 points in the first half. Since the NBA is back in action on Thursday night, let's target our favorite total on the slate and kick off a new winning streak.
Ever since OG Anunoby went down with his elbow injury, the Knicks have gotten used to playing low-scoring games. Six of New York's last nine games have gone under this total of 227.5, and Tom Thibodeau's squad has the slowest pace in the NBA over that span.
This total is so high because the 76ers are a much different team with Joel Embiid out of the lineup and Buddy Hield joining the starting five. In four games with Hield on the team, Philadelphia is averaging 116.8 points and surrendering 117.5 points per game. Embiid's presence slows down the pace on offense, but the Sixers are playing much faster and shooting threes at a higher rate with their new lineup in place.
Despite the 76ers' recent run of high-scoring affairs, we trust Thibodeau and the Knicks to control the pace and run shooters off the three-point line. Without Anunoby and Julius Randle on the court, New York doesn't have the offensive firepower to take advantage of Philly's lackluster defense.
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