It’s often said that it’s not about how you start, but how you finish. The New York Knicks, however, let another sterling start do the talking as their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Philadelphia 76ers tipped off on Monday night.

The Magic have to be shell-shocked after blowing a 24-point lead in the second half of what would have been a close-out Game 6 for them in Orlando. I don’t know how they recover from that, especially if Franz Wagner is not available.

Preview capsules on the NBA's conference semifinal series: ___ West: No. 6 Minnesota (49-33, 4-2) vs. No. 2 San Antonio (62-20, 4-1) Season series: Timberwolves, 2-1. Schedule: Game 1 at San Antonio,