Longtime rivals New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers are set to face off in the second round of the 2026 NBA playoffs, kicking off with Game 1 on Monday at 8 p.m. ET from Madison Square Garden. The Knicks, who finished the regular season with a record of 53-29, advanced by defeating Atlanta in six games, marking their fourth consecutive appearance in the East semifinals. Meanwhile, the 76ers (record: 45-37) achieved a dramatic comeback from a 3-1 deficit to defeat Boston, securing their first series win since 2023. This matchup marks the 11th playoff encounter between the two teams, with Philadelphia leading the series 6-4, although New York triumphed in their last playoff meeting in 2024.

The teams split their four regular-season meetings, with the road teams winning each time. Currently, the Knicks are favored by 7.5 points in the latest odds from FanDuel Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is set at 212.5.

Before placing any bets, it's essential to consider insights from the SportsLine Projection Model, which has simulated the game 10,000 times and boasts a 25-9 record (74%) on top-rated NBA spread picks this season. The model predicts that the total points will likely exceed the set over/under, with past matchups averaging 230 points combined.

Key predictions include:

• Four players are expected to score over 20 points each.
• Both teams rank in the top six for fewest turnovers, suggesting high efficiency and scoring potential.
• The model suggests a total of 218 points, with the Over hitting in 58.5% of simulations.

For those interested in betting, the Knicks are at -299 on the money line, while the 76ers sit at +239. Check out SportsLine for detailed picks and strategies.