Why OG Anunoby's 1.5-assist line Might Be The Best Place To Start In 76ers-Knicks

Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns give New York a familiar pick-and-roll foundation. Philadelphia counters with Jaylen Brown and LeBron James alongside Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, making the balance between on-ball creation and off-ball opportunities central to opening night.

What The Current Numbers Actually Say
76ers-Knicks tips off Tuesday, October 20, 7:00 PM Eastern.

New York Knicks: 116.5 points, 12.8 turnovers and 38.2 three-point attempts per game in the 2025-26 completed regular season (82 games).

Philadelphia 76ers: 115.9 points, 13.0 turnovers and 35.3 three-point attempts per game in the 2025-26 completed regular season (82 games).

What's The Big Question?
Can Philadelphia contain Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns without opening up the wings?

Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns can start the offense with a high screen, forcing the opposing big to choose between stepping toward the ball and protecting the basket. Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby give the defense other assignments on the wings. Keeping those roles intact supports a substantial workload for the returning starters, provided foul trouble or a minutes restriction does not intervene.

Philadelphia projects to start Jaylen Brown and LeBron James in the forward spots alongside Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Joel Embiid. That changes how the touches can be shared: VJ Edgecombe can play substantial minutes without handling every second-side action, and possessions ending with the forwards leave fewer shots or assists for the returning guards. Those extra scoring options make the share of possessions more important than minutes alone.

A high screen can force the center to defend two players until the guard recovers. Bringing help from a wing opens a kick-out; staying with shooters leaves the ball handler and screener to attack the big. Which coverage holds up will shape both the shots and the assists.

The Knicks posted a 55.7% effective field-goal percentage over their 2025-26 completed regular season (82 games), giving made threes their extra scoring value rather than treating every basket equally. Including free throws, their estimated true-shooting percentage was 59.0%.

For the 76ers, the 2025-26 completed regular season (82 games) produced an effective field-goal percentage of 53.0%. Their scoring efficiency comes to an estimated 57.2% true shooting when free throws enter the calculation.

How To Bet The Next Game
The player props are preferable to the spread tonight. New York's established screening combinations can test Philadelphia's defensive communication, but the opposing forwards give the visitors ways to attack switches at the other end. That is a two-way matchup, not a reason to automatically lay the points with the more familiar group.

The total is a pass. More scoring options do not necessarily mean more possessions: both projected lineups can work through a center in the half court, and sharing touches can slow a trip as easily as it can produce a better shot. The props below isolate specific passing and shooting roles rather than requiring a high-scoring game from the entire lineup.

The Prop Bets That Belong On The Card
OG Anunoby over 1.5 assists (-148) appeals with Anunoby projected to start at power forward after averaging 2.2 assists and 33.2 minutes across 67 games last regular season. Jalen Brunson-Karl-Anthony Towns screening actions can draw help before the ball reaches Anunoby on the second side. Attacking that closeout can create a short pass inside or an extra pass to Mikal Bridges. The 1.5 line is a bet on connecting those possessions, supported by his established minutes and season-long passing output. If the defense recovers without sending help, the same catch can end in his own shot instead.

Mikal Bridges projects to remain the starting small forward after averaging 1.9 three-pointers made in 32.8 minutes over 82 regular-season games last year. That makes Bridges over 1.5 three-pointers made (-122) the next look. He attempted 5.1 threes per game last season. Help toward Jalen Brunson's drives or Karl-Anthony Towns around the basket can leave a catch-and-shoot opportunity outside. A defender staying attached to Bridges can take that outlet away.

Research Behind The Angle
New York Knicks: 116.5 points, 12.8 turnovers and 38.2 three-point attempts per game in the 2025-26 completed regular season (82 games).
Philadelphia 76ers: 115.9 points, 13.0 turnovers and 35.3 three-point attempts per game in the 2025-26 completed regular season (82 games).
Live betJACK player prop: OG Anunoby over 1.5 assists (-148).
Live betJACK player prop: Mikal Bridges over 1.5 three-pointers made (-122).

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