New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, NBA from

New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers to Face Off in Eastern Conference Semifinals

## Knicks Advance After Game 6 Victory Over Heat The New York Knicks clinched their spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals on Thursday night with a 105-94 victory over the Miami Heat in Game 6 of their second-round series. The Knicks won the series 4-2, and will now face the Philadelphia 76ers in the next round. ## 76ers Sweep Raptors to Advance The Philadelphia 76ers also advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals on Thursday night, with a 132-97 victory over the Toronto Raptors in Game 4 of their second-round series. The 76ers swept the Raptors 4-0, and will now face the New York Knicks in the next round. ## Knicks-76ers Series Preview The Knicks and 76ers will face off in the Eastern Conference semifinals starting on Monday night in Philadelphia. The two teams finished the regular season with identical 48-34 records, but the 76ers earned the No. 2 seed in the East based on their tiebreaker advantage over the Knicks. The Knicks and 76ers have not met in the playoffs since 2001, when the Knicks won the series 4-3 in the second round. The 76ers hold a 15-11 advantage in the all-time playoff series between the two teams. ## Key Matchups to Watch Some of the key matchups to watch in the Knicks-76ers series include: * **Jalen Brunson vs. Tyrese Maxey:** Brunson has been the Knicks' leading scorer in the playoffs, averaging 25.3 points per game. Maxey has been the 76ers' second-leading scorer in the playoffs, averaging 22.3 points per game. * **Julius Randle vs. Joel Embiid:** Randle has been the Knicks' second-leading scorer in the playoffs, averaging 24.3 points per game. Embiid has been the 76ers' leading scorer in the playoffs, averaging 30.6 points per game. * **R.J. Barrett vs. James Harden:** Barrett has been the Knicks' third-leading scorer in the playoffs, averaging 19.3 points per game. Harden has been the 76ers' third-leading scorer in the playoffs, averaging 17.0 points per game. ## Prediction The Knicks and 76ers are both evenly matched teams, so this series is likely to be a close one. The 76ers have the home-court advantage, but the Knicks have been playing well on the road in the playoffs. I predict the series will go to seven games, with the Knicks ultimately winning in a Game 7 at Madison Square Garden.