The 2024 NBA Playoffs will tip off on Saturday and we’ll have an interesting first-round matchup in the Eastern Conference as the No. 2 New York Knicks will battle the No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers in a best-of-seven series.
This is setting up to be one of the more competitive first-round series on paper as both teams ended the regular season on 5+game winning streaks. The 76ers managed to keep their heads above water without Joel Embiid for two months and he’s made a huge difference since he returned earlier in the month. Meanwhile, the Knicks had their first 50-win campaign in over a decade and there’s tons of excitement in the Big Apple surrounding this Jalen Brunson-led lineup.
Here’s a look at some of our favorite series props for this matchup, with odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
76ers vs. Knicks series props
7 games in series (+190)
This is one of the toughest series to make heads or tails of in the entire first round. This New York lineup has gelled throughout the year and rallied behind Brunson, who is on his way to being named to the All-NBA team. However, Philadelphia has the best player on the floor in Embiid and Wednesday’s play-in game against Miami showed how tough it can be to put this team down.
I think this series goes the distance and will be decided by a seventh game at Madison Square Garden.
Knicks to win series (-105)
Ultimately, I’ll give the Knicks the edge as the team with homecourt advantage. New York posted a 27-14 record at home this season and the environment at Madison Square Garden will be electric all series long. We’ve seen the Sixers fold in recent postseasons, so if the Knicks can absorb early punches and get this to a Game 7 at the Garden, then I like their chances of getting the job done to advance.
76ers to win Game 1/Knicks to win series (+600)
One of those early punches New York will have to absorb can come as early as Game 1. Philly already got a head start on the postseason as it had to come from behind to take down Miami in Wednesday’s play-in tournament game. With some momentum on their side, I think the 76ers can go into MSG and steal Game 1, setting the stage for a fistfight that NY will eventually win.