For the first time in nearly 35 years, the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers will face off in the NBA Playoffs. The series begins on Saturday at Madison Square Garden.

The Knicks handled the Sixers during the regular season, including one game where Joel Embiid was on the floor, but the postseason is a different animal. The Sixers fell in the standings due to Embiid’s injury so as a seven seed, this is a threat to come out of the Eastern Conference.

As for the Knicks, Jalen Brunson has played like an MVP and the overall depth and toughness has shown over the course of the season. The Knicks also have home-court advantage.

Major Storylines

The overall and biggest storyline of this series will be the health of Joel Embiid. The Sixers’ big man and former MVP missed a significant amount of time this season and was hobbled toward the end of the year as well.

Embiid returned for the play-in tournament against the Miami Heat but his health remains a question mark. If Embiid goes down, it is a major advantage for the Knicks. If he is on the floor, this has the feel of a series that can go seven.

The biggest question mark for the Knicks will be workload. Will the insane amount of minutes played throughout the regular season catch up to them? Tom Thibodeau has a history of overusing his players and that showed last season as the Knicks were bounced by Miami.

This season has been no different but the team remains healthy and Brunson is playing at an extremely high level. Enter point No. 3.

The Sixers will be throwing bodies at Brunson to slow him down. The Knicks can do the same to Embiid. So, which will be more effective? Brunson showed over the year that he can handle all defensive strategies thrown at him, especially in the final matchup against the Boston Celtics in Boston. As for Embiid, he has a knack for getting to the free throw line. It might be nice for the Knicks to throw bodies, like Isaiah Hartenstein and Precious Achiuwa, at the big man but this could also allow him to get to the free throw line 12-15 times a game.

Series Schedule

• Game 1: 76ers vs. Knicks, April 20 (6 p.m., ESPN)
• Game 2: 76ers vs. Knicks, April 22 (7:30 p.m., TNT)
• Game 3: Knicks vs. 76ers, April 25 (7:30 p.m., TNT)
• Game 4: Knicks vs. 76ers, April 28 (1 p.m., ABC)
• Game 5 (if necessary): 76ers vs. Knicks, April 30 (TBD, TBD)
• Game 6 (if necessary): Knicks vs. 76ers, May 2 (TBD, TBD)
• Game 7 (if necessary): 76ers vs. Knicks, May 4 (TBD, TNT)

Series Prediction: Sixers in 6