Sixers-Knicks prediction roundup: Almost everyone is picking against Philly (again)
It’s tough to find anyone in the national media who thinks the Sixers can pull off another upset.
The national basketball media does not like the Sixers’ chances to pull off another upset in their Eastern Conference semifinal series with the New York Knicks.
It’s worth pointing out that’s also what they said before the Celtics series. And they were almost correct — until the Sixers pulled off an improbable 3-1 series comeback, winning Game 7 Saturday night in Boston to advance to the second round.
On ESPN, all four members of Get Up are among those who like the Knicks to win the series. Former Duke and Chicago Bulls guard Jay Williams picked the battle-tested Knicks to win in seven games, but said the Sixers are the more talented team.
“The experience that the Knicks have had over the last several years playing together, those reps, I think, will matter down the stretch,” Williams said.
Ahead of Monday’s Game 1 at Madison Square Garden, here’s a look at what some basketball analysts and writers are predicting for the series …
Sixers-Knicks predictions
ESPN: Seven of nine experts picked the Knicks to win the series, but Bobby Marks and Andre Snellings picked the Sixers to win in seven games.
NBC Sports: Kurt Helin picked the Knicks to win what he called “the real Eastern Conference finals” in seven games.
Yahoo! Sports: Four writers made predictions, and all four picked the Knicks.
NBA.com: Shaun Powell is taking the Knicks in six games.
Sports Illustrated: Peter Dewey thinks the Sixers will push the series to seven games, but that the Knicks will win.
Bleacher Report: Dan Favale’s gut feeling is Knicks in five games, but his official prediction is Knicks in six.
SNY: No shock here, the Knicks’ broadcast partner likes New York to win the series in six games.
USA Today: Lorenzo Reyes is picking the Knicks to win in seven games.
Sixers-Knicks series schedule
Here’s a look at the full schedule for the series …
Game 1: Sixers at Knicks, 8 p.m. Monday, NBC/Peacock
Game 2: Sixers at Knicks, 7 p.m. Wednesday, ESPN
Game 3: Knicks at Sixers, 7 p.m. Friday, Prime Video
Game 4: Knicks at Sixers, 3:30 p.m. Sunday, ABC
*Game 5: Sixers at Knicks, May 12, TBD
*Game 6: Knicks at Sixers, May 14, TBD
*Game 7: Sixers at Knicks, May 17, TBD
*If necessary