Knicks Favorites to Win in 76ers Series, But It Could Be Close

The New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers are going to the second round of the NBA playoffs, and they’ll take each other on in the conference semifinals.

So, the first-round Game 7s ended, and it’s time to advance in the NBA playoffs. Before the conference semifinals, let’s make some predictions on what will happen.

In a piece out on Monday, May 4 for USA Today, Lorenzo Reyes gives his predictions for the second round matchups.

“It took three Game 7s and three series that ended in six,” he notes in the piece, “but the first round of the NBA playoffs have wrapped up, which means the conference semifinals are already upon us.”

He has the Knicks winning, but it won’t be easy, and he believes it will go to seven games.

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“This 76ers team is not only peaking at the right moment, they actually look like legitimate threats,” he states in the piece. “As long as Joel Embiid is playing the way he has since returning from his appendectomy, Philadelphia will have an argument. Embiid's size and scoring ability makes him a nightmare to defend.”

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But, he says “New York's trio of Anunoby, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges make their defense versatile and tough to crack.”

What It Means: Knicks vs. 76ers

My thoughts: While the 76ers are likely to be able to put pressure on centers Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson, it’s going to take a lot to overcome the Knicks. These two teams are quite equally matched, and as good as the 76ers have been this playoff run, the Knicks are a bit stronger. The Knicks do have that strong trio in Anunoby, Hart and Bridges, plus a sturdy OG Anunoby, and that should push them over the edge.

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This story was originally published May 4, 2026 at 9:14 AM.