Survive and advance: That’s the motto as the NBA playoffs continue.
The Knicks convincingly beat the Hawks in the first round, winning the series 4-2 in historic fashion.
Their next challenge: a red-hot 76ers team that overcame a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Celtics in seven games.
Oddsmakers favor the Knicks by 7.5 points at the Garden for Game 1, with the Sixers arriving just two days after their remarkable Game 7 victory over Boston.
This series is packed with star power on both sides.
It’ll feature an intriguing matchup between the Knicks duo of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns and the pair of Tyrese Maxey and a suddenly resurgent Joel Embiid.
All eyes will be on the knee of the All-Star big man, who seemed to hyperextend it during the waning seconds of their series-closing win.
Philadelphia’s swift backcourt features Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe, with veteran Paul George turning back the clock as a reliable option.
This will be a rematch from the first round of the 2024 playoffs.
Brunson was highly effective, averaging 35.5 points, 9.0 assists, and 4.5 rebounds as he powered the Knicks to a 4-2 series victory.
The Knicks roster now is deeper and more balanced defensively, featuring Towns and a healthy Mitchell Robinson creating resistance in the paint, as well as Mikal Bridges offering flexibility on the perimeter.
Since Jan. 20, the Knicks defensive rating of 108.2 is second best in the league.
The Atlanta series seemed to be a good litmus test of the Knicks’ grit, and I’m confident it’ll carry over into this division rivalry showdown.
The 76ers showed they can step up when their season is on the brink, but after such an emotional victory, I expect a slight drop-off in performance in Game 1.
Nick Nurse and the Sixers have a 14-13 ATS record as away underdogs this season, whereas the Knicks are 27-13 ATS at home.
I’m targeting the Brunson point prop at 26.5 and the Knicks to win this game and the series.
The Plays: Brunson over 26.5 points (-125, BetMGM) | Knicks to win game 1/Knicks to win series (-150, DraftKings)
Mike Turay is a sports journalist and editor who closely follows the NBA, NFL, college sports and UFC. He has demonstrated expertise in both NBA and NFL player prop bets for nearly three years. Mike is also highly knowledgeable about the sportsbook offer landscape, frequently trying and reviewing the latest apps and sites.
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