The 76ers are down 2-0 to the Knicks, and they're in desperation mode now, playing for their season tonight.
In a game as meaningful as this one, we aren't just looking for standard lines — we’re looking for the "ceiling" performances. That’s where the ladder pick comes in. If you think a player might go way over their line, you bet their standard over, then "ladder" up into alternate territories (25+, 30+, 35+) for a higher payout.
Today, I'm targeting 76ers star Tyrese Maxey.
Continue below for my Knicks vs. 76ers player prop picks for Friday, May 8.
NBA Player Prop Picks: Knicks vs 76ers Game 3
- Tyrese Maxey Over 24.5 Points (-122)
- Tyrese Maxey 30+ Points (+230)
- Tyrese Maxey 35+ Points (+560)
Tyrese Maxey Points Ladder
"He's due" isn't an acceptable cap, generally, and neither is "I have a feeling," — at least not here, right?
OG Anunoby (hamstring), Josh Hart (hand) and Mitchell Robinson (illness) are all on the injury report, with the former two listed as questionable, and the latter as probable. Joel Embiid is questionable with multiple injuries.
Given Anunoby's hamstring injury history and his status as truly day-to-day, according to Ian Begley of SNY, I don't expect the Knicks — with a 2-0 lead — to play him tonight.
I'd be shocked, and I'd even call that misguided. They might not even need Anunoby to finish this series off in six or fewer, even with Embiid back.
Regardless, Phillyneeds this, and Tyrese Maxey hasn't had the explosive series many expected, myself included.
In Game 1, he was limited to 27 minutes and just 13 points in the 137-98 whooping that was. And in Game 2, where Philly fell 108-102, Maxey shot 9-of-23 in 47 minutes, logging 26 points amid struggles from the floor, encapsulated by an uncharacteristic 1-for-6 from three.
We saw him get 25, 30 and 30 in the last three games of the Celtics series with similar desperation, and in Game 2, he actually did create quality looks — particularly in the second half — that just didn't fall through.
If Maxey plays a standard Maxey game, he should go over this independent of Embiid's availability. The Knicks may not have Anunoby (Hart, too?), giving them one less option to throw on Maxey, though his primary assignment will continue to be Mikal Bridges, who has had a good defensive playoffs.
Still, 24.5 is too low in this desperation spot with possible injuries looming. We'll ladder to 30 and 35+ too — the latter, Maxey had twice against the Knicks in the 2024 playoffs.
Also, going back to sentence one, he is, and I do…
Knicks vs. 76ers Player Prop Ladder
- Tyrese Maxey Over 24.5 Points (-122)
- Tyrese Maxey 30+ Points (+230)
- Tyrese Maxey 35+ Points (+560)
