The 2026 Eastern Conference semifinals matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks presents a high-stakes clash. Specifically, it is an NBA betting matchup between two Atlantic Division rivals that arrives with significant historical weight. The New York Knicks enter the series as the higher seed after finishing the regular season with fifty-three wins and securing their spot by defeating the Atlanta Hawks in the first round.
By contrast, Philadelphia enters this matchup having just completed a historic first-round comeback against the Boston Celtics. The 76ers became the fourteenth team in league history to overcome a three-to-one series deficit. Thus, clinching their advancement with a road victory in Game 7. This series win was particularly meaningful for Philadelphia as it marked their first postseason victory over Boston since 1982.
Of course, the 76ers are led by Joel Embiid, who has maintained elite production despite earlier health setbacks, and Tyrese Maxey, whose late-game scoring was the deciding factor in their previous round.
2026 NBA Playoffs Odds – Second Round Preview Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks
| Date and Time: | Monday, May 04, 2026, 8:00 PM ET. |
|---|---|
| Location: | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| TV Coverage: | NBC/Peacock |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76ers | +7½ ( -115 ) | 213½ ( -110 ) | +220 |  |
| Knicks | -7½ ( -105 ) | 213½ ( -110 ) | -280 | |
| ||||
Philadelphia 76ers vs New York Knicks Series Schedule
- Game 1: Mon, May 4 at New York (8:00 PM ET, NBC/Peacock)
- Game 2: Wed, May 6 at New York (7:00 PM ET, ESPN)
- Game 3: Fri, May 8 at Philadelphia (7:00 PM ET, Prime Video)
- Game 4: Sun, May 10 at Philadelphia (3:30 PM ET, ABC)
- Game 5: Tue, May 12 at New York (If necessary)
- Game 6: Thu, May 14 at Philadelphia (If necessary)
- Game 7: Sun, May 17 at New York (If necessary)
Philadelphia 76ers Team Overview
The Philadelphia 76ers enter the Eastern Conference semifinals with a unique blend of historic momentum and lingering health questions. Following the regular season as the seventh seed with a record of forty-five wins and thirty-seven losses. Next, Philly recently completed a rare comeback by defeating the Boston Celtics in seven games after trailing three-to-one in the series. This Sportsbook achievement marked only the fourteenth time in league history that a team has overcome such a deficit. And then it represents a significant psychological breakthrough for a franchise that had struggled in winner-take-all road games for decades.
The focal point of the team remains Joel Embiid, whose impact on the series against Boston was immediate and transformative. After missing the first three games of the postseason while recovering from an appendectomy, Embiid returned to become the first player in league history to score one hundred points in a series. Despite missing the opening three contests. His presence provides the 76ers with a dominant interior force who averaged thirty-four points and twelve rebounds in the decisive Game 7.
New York Knicks Team Overview
The New York Knicks enter the 2026 Eastern Conference semifinals as a team defined by high-level versatility and historic consistency. In sum, their NBA betting season was highlighted by winning the NBA Cup in December. Statistically, the Knicks ranked third in offensive rating and seventh in defensive rating.
The team’s success is anchored by Jalen Brunson, who followed a stellar regular season with a dominant performance in the opening round of the playoffs. After a slow start in the first round against the Atlanta Hawks, Brunson exploded for thirty-nine points in Game 5. Also, he led a cohesive offensive attack that utilized Karl-Anthony Towns as a primary playmaker in the pinch post. This adjustment allowed the Knicks to close out the Hawks with three consecutive double-digit victories. Including a franchise-record fifty-one-point blowout in the decisive Game 6.
To summarize, the supporting cast, featuring defensive stalwart OG Anunoby and energetic guard Jose Alvarado, provides the depth necessary to maintain high intensity on both ends of the floor.