With the NBA Playoffs just a few days aways, the New York Knicks find themselves not only on the cusp of potentially clinching their first 50-win season since 2012-13, but a chance to bump themselves all the way up to the second seed in the NBA Eastern Conference.
Thanks to smart off season signings, the Knicks have become one of the better teams in a loaded Eastern Conference, as they now gear up for the NBA postseason.
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New York Knicks: Playoffs to Be Without Julius Randle
One major question mark for the New York Knicks heading into the playoffs is how they will fare without Julius Randle.
The star power forward was declared out for the remainder of the season due to a shoulder injury he suffered earlier in this year.
It was a stunning blow for a team that was finding its footing with him in the lineup. The Knicks may be able to survive without Randle, given Randle's performance being on the poorer side in New York's last NBA Playoff showing. The emergence of Precious Achiuwa has also helped the Knicks soldier on in the second half of the season when being without Julius Randle.
Julius Randle was having an All-Star caliber season before the injury and their playoff success is definitely in some doubt without the two-time All-Star forward in the lineup; but we wouldn't count the New York Knicks out just yet.
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New York Knicks: NBA Playoffs vs. Orlando Magic or Cleveland Cavaliers
The New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers have developed some history with each other after meeting in the NBA Playoffs last season.
The Knicks managed to knock the Cavaliers out last season, giving New York their first playoff series win since the 2013 NBA Playoffs.
The Cavs would be back looking for revenge against the team that ended their season last year. Cleveland has improved on both ends of the court since then thanks to the play of center Jarrett Allen and the scoring of Donovan Mitchell.
On the other hand, the Orlando Magic are having a remarkable season this year and may make some noise in the postseason, so the Knicks might be wary of this matchup.
The New York Knicks have managed to dominate the season series against Orlando going 3-1, but anything could happen come playoff time.
The Knicks postseason experience and talent could potentially trump the Magic if they were to meet in a seven-game NBA Playoff series this year.
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New York Knicks: Milwaukee Bucks
A potential NBA Playoffs matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks would be undoubtedly the toughest of the three matchups for the New York Knicks.
The Bucks boast a lineup featuring two of the best players in the league in Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Coached by Doc Rivers, who has taken a team to an NBA Finals before.
The Bucks still own the Knicks in the season series going 3-2. The Knicks' recent 122-109 win against the Bucks indicates they could potentially hang with the Milwaukee Bucks, making it a competitive series.
The New York Knicks can match up with the Milwaukee Bucks defensively as they've shown to have the wings and the size to keep up. However, the concern is whether the Knicks can match up with the Bucks on the offensive side of the ball, and if they can keep it up for an entire playoff series.
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