If the New York Knicks continue to play the way they have in their last four games the NBA championship banner will rise to the rafters of MSG for the first time since 1973. The Knickerbockers opened their second round NBA playoff series against Philadelphia with another rout.
The Sixers showed resiliency in their first round series with Boston rallying for three straight wins to win in seven games. Philadelphia has been an underdog in every playoff game so far and is catching 7.5-points on the early NBA Playoff spread following the 137-98 Game 1 loss.
76ers at Knicks Preview
Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series between the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks is set for Wednesday, May 6, 2026 inside Madison Square Garden in New York. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET with the game televised live on ESPN.
Public Betting Odds Factors
- It’s hard to imagine the Knicks playing as well or better than they have in their last four games and in particular their last three. They are the first team to win three straight playoff games by at least 25 points and they have massaged the NBA odds for four straight payouts.
- Losing two first round games to Atlanta by a single point seemed to piss off New York. In their closest game of the last four, the Knicks beat the Hawks by 16 points to start the streak. They outscored their opponent by 135 points in those four games.
- The Knicks were precise on Tuesday shooting 63 percent as a team and leading by as many as 40 points. For the second time in three games Jalen Brunson topped the 30-point mark dropping 35 against Philly. Brunson is averaging 27.6 points in the postseason.
- New York was nothing special during the season averaging 116.5 points to rank 10th in the NBA and collectively shooting 47.8 percent from the field. However, in their last four games the Knicks are averaging 129.3 points while shooting 57.1 percent from the field. They cashed the OVER in each of their last three games.
- The Sixers can look back on their first game with Boston in the first round and know there is a lot of basketball still to be played. Philly lost Game 1 in Boston by 32 points and dropped Game 4 by the same amount before rallying with three consecutive wins for their first series win when trailing 3-1.
- Joel Embiid will need to step up in this series. The former MVP was a stud in the Game 7 win over Boston with 34 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists. In Game 1 against the Knicks he was just 3 of 11 shooting with 14 points.
76ers at Knicks Predictions
- The Knicks will cool off at some point; the question is when. They certainly won’t be fatigued with starters getting ample rest in the last two blowout wins. No one played more than 30 minutes in Game 7 against the Hawks and starters were capped around 30 minutes on Tuesday. NY has certainly looked refreshed during their current run.
- Overlooked by New York’s offense efficiency and blowout wins has been the play of its defense. The Knicks have not allowed more than 100 points in any of their last four games and they boast the third-best scoring defense in the postseason. The Knicks also have the best point differential at plus-20.5
76ers at Knicks Betting Tips
- New York has outscored its opponent by an average of nearly 34 points during their 4-game winning streak.
- Philly did the unthinkable in the first round winning three games in Boston, including the dramatic Game 7. They had won two in a row in New York before dropping Game 1.
- The Knicks are 10-3 in their last 13 games with 10 payouts in their last 12 outings overall.
76ers at Knicks Head to Head and Key Stats
- The teams split the regular season series with each winning twice on the road.
- New York has won three straight overall and eight of the last 10 matchups going 7-3 against the NBA betting line.
- The Knicks won the final regular season meeting and Game 1 by a combined total of 88 points. In those games NY shot 57.7 percent from the field and made 39 triples.
