Bettors split as Knicks open NBA Finals versus Spurs as slight underdogs

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The New York Knicks, outside of the five boroughs and surrounding suburbs, weren’t considered legitimate favorites to win the NBA Finals for most of the season and even into the playoffs.

And now they’re here, one of the two teams remaining.

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New York remains an underdog, but only slightly, and the idea of ending a 53-year drought without a championship no longer seems so far-fetched as the finals against San Antonio begin Wednesday.

“I really like the Knicks to win the series,” longtime handicapper Bruce Marshall said. “Fundamentally, they’re causing a lot of problems now.”

Bettors are torn, with each team receiving roughly the same action at BetMGM Sportsbook and Caesars Sportsbook.

And the lines reflect that. The Spurs are -210 to win the series at BetMGM and -185 at Caesars.

“There’s lot of people that think both teams have a pretty good shot,” Caesars NBA trader David Lieberman said. “It’s been kind of surprisingly even. We haven’t had a (significant line) movement at all, and it’s just been pretty 50-50 so far.”

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This finals represents close to a worst-case scenario for BetMGM. Knicks fans have been pouring money into wagering on their team and some threw money on the Spurs at 25-1 going into the season.

“The book normally wouldn’t want to talk about it, but so far both outcomes for us is a losing outcome as we go into these finals,” BetMGM sports trader Christian Cipollini said. “It’s pretty rare.”

Rust vs. rest debate emerges again

While the Knicks were resting and recharging after sweeping Cleveland on May 25, the Spurs still had five more days left in what became a seven-game series against defending champion Oklahoma City.

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If New York made best use of its time, the Knicks could win Game 1 and steal home-court advantage. But the Knicks also had a similar layoff between sweeping Philadelphia and the Eastern Conference final against Cleveland, which was coming off a seven-game series with Detroit.

The Cavaliers looked to be in control in Game 1 of East final, taking a 22-point lead in the fourth quarter before the Knicks stormed back…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/bettors-split-knicks-open-nba-223309547.html

Author : MARK ANDERSON

Publish date : 2026-06-02 22:33:00

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