The hardwood rivalry heats up as the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers prepare to clash in Game 1 of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on Monday night. This storied matchup brings together two teams on very different trajectories, but both hungry for a deep postseason run.
The Knicks enter as the higher seed after a stellar 53-29 regular season, marking their fourth straight trip to the Eastern Conference semifinals. New York flexed their muscle in the first round, dispatching the Atlanta Hawks in six games. On the other side, the 76ers (45-37) showed grit and resilience, rallying from a daunting 3-1 series deficit to knock out the Boston Celtics—securing Philadelphia's first playoff series win since 2023.
This marks the 11th playoff meeting between these longtime foes, with the Sixers holding a 6-4 edge in head-to-head series. However, the Knicks won the most recent postseason battle in 2024, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this year's showdown. Injury reports add some drama: Joel Embiid is listed as probable with a hip issue, while New York's Jeremy Sochan is questionable due to a hamstring strain.
Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. ET at the legendary Madison Square Garden. The Knicks opened as 4.5-point favorites but have since seen the line move to -7.5 at FanDuel Sportsbook, reflecting strong confidence in the home squad. The over/under for total points is set at 213.5.
For those looking to dive deeper into the numbers, the SportsLine Projection Model has simulated this game 10,000 times. Known for its sharp analysis, the model has generated over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past eight-plus seasons. This season alone, it's on a blistering 25-9 run (74%) on spread picks during the playoffs.
One key trend to watch: the model is leaning toward the Over (213.5) in total points betting. That makes sense given that all four regular-season meetings between these teams eclipsed 221 points, averaging a combined 230 points per game. Both teams also hit the Over in their respective closeout games during the first round, suggesting offense could be the story of this series opener.
Whether you're a die-hard fan or just gearing up for playoff basketball, this Knicks-76ers Game 1 promises to deliver intensity, history, and high-stakes action. Get your gear ready and settle in for what should be a thrilling start to this Eastern Conference battle.