3. New York Knicks
The New York Knicks have made quite a stride this season. After missing out on Donovan Mitchell during the offseason, this team did an amazing job this year not letting that one letdown hurt the team’s progress that it did make with the signing of Jalen Brunson. And he’s been a great addition to the team. The Knicks are heading into the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference, but they’re everything but an underdog heading into their first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
New York is a team that could absolutely come away with the first-round “upset” of the Cavs. That’s how well this team has been playing this season. And if they can get Julius Randle healthy, there’s no question that they’re going to have a real shot at advancing to the conference semifinals. If it does happen, it would be the first time the Knicks win a playoff series since the 2012-13 NBA season and only the franchise’s second since the 1999-2000 season. It’s been rough 20-plus years for the Knicks but this team has its fanbase believing again.
I’m not sure if the Knicks will beat the Cavs in the first round but if they do, no one should be truly surprised.