Brunson and the Knicks host Philadelphia to begin second round | AP News

Philadelphia 76ers (45-37, seventh in the Eastern Conference) vs. New York Knicks (53-29, third in the Eastern Conference)New York; Monday, 8 p.m. EDTLINE: Knicks -7.5; over/under is 211.5EASTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ROUND: Knicks host first series matchupBOTTOM LINE: The New York Knicks host the Philadelphia 76ers to begin the Eastern Conference second round. New York and Philadelphia tied the regular season series 2-2. The Knicks won the last regular season meeting 138-89 on Thursday, Feb. 12 led by 26 points from Jose Alvarado, while Tyrese Maxey scored 32 points for the 76ers.The Knicks are 35-17 against conference opponents. New York is eighth in the Eastern Conference with 27.4 assists per game led by Jalen Brunson averaging 6.8.The 76ers are 9-7 against Atlantic Division teams. Philadelphia is sixth in the Eastern Conference with 16.9 fast break points per game led by VJ Edgecombe averaging 8.0. The Knicks’ 14.2 made 3-pointers per game this season are just 0.8 more made shots on average than the 13.4 per game the 76ers allow. The 76ers score 5.8 more points per game (115.9) than the Knicks allow their opponents to score (110.1). TOP PERFORMERS: Karl-Anthony Towns is shooting 50.1% and averaging 20.1 points for the Knicks.