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Knicks, Celtics, Wolves lead 3-2; underdogs favored.

5/1/2026

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Summary

Knicks Lead

The Knicks lead the Hawks 3-2 and are 2.5-point favorites in Game 6 on April 30, 2026.
The Celtics also lead 3-2 and are 6.5-point favorites against the 76ers in Game 6 on April 30, 2026.
The Timberwolves lead the Nuggets 3-2, yet the Nuggets are 6.5-point favorites in Game 6 on April 30, 2026.
Julius Brunson scored 39 for New York.
Joel Embiid had 33 for Philadelphia, while Minnesota is without Edwards and DiVincenzo.

Summary

Knicks Set Record

Knicks set an NBA playoff record with a 47-point halftime lead, the largest ever.
Their 51-point win tied for the sixth-largest postseason margin.
The 40-15 first-quarter lead was the biggest opening-quarter advantage of the shot-clock era.
Anunoby’s free throws pushed the lead to 50 points, the fastest 40-point gap since play-by-play tracking began in 1998.
The 83-point half ranked third-highest in playoff history, behind an 87-point performance.

History

Historical Context

In 1998 the Bulls, with Michael Jordan and coach Phil Jackson, continued the 1990s Bulls-Knicks rivalry that produced several lopsided playoff victories. The 2026 Knicks built a 47-point halftime lead, eclipsing that historic margin and prompting the NBA to revisit competitive-balance rules as fans recall the Bulls' six championships in that decade.

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Knicks Lead

The Knicks lead the Hawks 3-2 and are 2.5-point favorites in Game 6 on April 30, 2026.
The Celtics also lead 3-2 and are 6.5-point favorites against the 76ers in Game 6 on April 30, 2026.
The Timberwolves lead the Nuggets 3-2, yet the Nuggets are 6.5-point favorites in Game 6 on April 30, 2026.
Julius Brunson scored 39 for New York.
Joel Embiid had 33 for Philadelphia, while Minnesota is without Edwards and DiVincenzo.

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