The Knicks will be the third seed. I can declare that confidently, without concern of being incorrect, because all it requires is either a New York victory or a Pacers defeat in each team’s final three games.

Their opponent in the first round is less certain, but it’ll probably be the Pistons. The Knicks can travel further toward a Detroit matchup, perhaps even clinch it, with a win Thursday inside Little Caesars Arena.

Avoiding Giannis Antetokounmpo should be the preference.

Regardless of who they face — Pistons or Bucks — there’s a bare minimum expectation to advance out of the first round.