Sixers Cruise Past Knicks as Preseason Under Cashes Easy

The Sixers dismantled the Knicks 120-97 in a preseason tilt that played out exactly as the exhibition script demanded—limited minutes for the marquee names, extended garbage time, and a total that never threatened the number. DarkHorse's under 226.5 sailed home with 217 combined points, validating the core thesis that preseason totals get priced like the games actually matter.

Philadelphia controlled tempo from the jump, building a cushion that allowed both coaching staffs to empty their benches early and often. The Knicks never found offensive rhythm, looking every bit the disjointed squad you'd expect when rotation spots are still being auditioned. By the fourth quarter, this was pure developmental reps—third-stringers jacking contested threes and turning the ball over in transition.

The 217-point finish landed 9.5 points beneath the closing number, a comfortable margin that underscores how sportsbooks continue to misprice exhibitions. They set totals as if Joel Embiid and Jalen Brunson are logging 36 minutes in a playoff atmosphere, when reality delivers 20-minute cameos and lineups featuring guys who'll be in the G-League by Halloween. Preseason unders remain one of the sharpest edges in the betting calendar, and tonight's blowout was a masterclass in why context beats star power every time.