The rivalry is back, and the stakes couldn't be higher. The New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers are set to clash in the second round of the 2026 NBA playoffs, with Game 1 tipping off Monday night at iconic Madison Square Garden. This isn't just another playoff series—it's the 11th postseason meeting between these two historic franchises, and the intensity is already off the charts.
The Knicks enter as the higher seed, boasting a stellar 53-29 record after dispatching the Atlanta Hawks in six games. It's their fourth straight trip to the Eastern Conference semifinals, a testament to their consistency and grit. Meanwhile, the 76ers have been the comeback kings of the playoffs so far. After stumbling to a 3-1 deficit against the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia rallied to win three straight and secure their first series victory since 2023. That momentum is real, but can they carry it into the Garden?
History favors the 76ers, who hold a 6-4 edge in previous playoff matchups. However, the Knicks won the most recent postseason battle back in 2024, and they'll have the home crowd behind them. The line has already shifted in New York's favor, moving from -4.5 to -7.5 at FanDuel, with the over/under set at 212.5 points. That's a lot of movement, and it suggests sharp money is backing the Knicks—but the numbers tell a deeper story.
According to the SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned over $10,000 in profit on top-rated picks this season, there's one bet that stands out above the rest. The model is going Over on the total. And the reasoning is simple: these two teams can't stop scoring when they meet. All four regular-season games this year cleared 221 points, averaging a blistering 230 combined. Both squads also hit the Over in their series-clinching wins, and New York has gone Over in three of their last four games overall. The last head-to-head in February? Easily over the total.
With the offense clicking and the defense struggling to keep up, expect another high-scoring affair under the bright lights of MSG. The energy will be electric, and the points should follow. Whether you're tuning in for the rivalry or the action, Game 1 is shaping up to be a classic.