The New York Knicks could avoid the top two contenders in the first round
If the New York Knicks can remain as a fifth seed in the Eastern standings heading into the playoffs, you’d have to like this team’s chances even more to perhaps make it to the second round or beyond. I’m not sure if the Knicks would beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in a seven-game series but they’d have a good chance.
I’m not sure you can say the same thing about the Knicks’ chances in the first round against either the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, or even the Philadelphia 76ers. However, against the Cavs, would anyone really be all that surprised if they managed to beat them in the first round?
The Knicks are experienced enough that they could seemingly pull off a first-round playoff upset over the Cavs, even with Donovan Mitchell on the other end of the floor. As long as the team’s big three continues to play at a high level, the Knicks are going to have a shot to beat anyone 0 outside of the top two contenders – in the playoffs.