The hardwood rivalry heats up as the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers clash in the second round of the 2026 NBA playoffs. Game 1 tips off Monday at 8 p.m. ET from the iconic Madison Square Garden, promising an electric atmosphere for this storied matchup.

The Knicks enter with a strong 53-29 record, having dispatched the Atlanta Hawks in six games to reach the Eastern Conference semifinals for the fourth consecutive year. Meanwhile, the 76ers (45-37) showed resilience by rallying from a 3-1 series deficit to eliminate the Boston Celtics, securing their first playoff series win since 2023. This marks the 11th postseason meeting between these franchises, with Philadelphia holding a 6-4 edge, though New York won their most recent playoff clash in 2024.

Both teams split their four regular-season meetings, with the road team winning each contest—an intriguing trend heading into this series. The Knicks are listed as 7.5-point favorites, with the over/under for total points set at 212.5. Given that all four regular-season matchups saw at least 221 points scored, averaging 230 combined, fans can expect an offensive showcase. Both teams also hit the over in their closeout games during the first round, and the Knicks have gone over in three of their last four contests overall.

For those looking to get in on the action, the SportsLine Projection Model—which simulates every NBA game 10,000 times—has been on fire this season. After a sizzling 25-9 roll (74%) on top-rated spread picks, the model is leaning toward the over (212.5) for Game 1. With both teams clicking offensively and a history of high-scoring affairs, this matchup is set to deliver plenty of excitement for basketball fans and bettors alike.