The New York Knicks haven't won a playoff series since the 1999-2000 season, but that could change this year if oddsmakers are correct. The Knicks will play the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs and New York opened the series as the betting favorite.
Knicks vs. Celtics, NBA playoff odds: New York opens as the favorite
The Celtics swept the Knicks the last time the two teams met in the playoffs, but will things change this time around? Oddsmakers think so.
Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports
According to Sportsbook.com, the Knicks are a -400 favorite over the Celtics. Bovada has New York as a slightly bigger favorite, listing the Knicks at -115 to win the series. While the Knicks are favored, most oddsmakers are expecting a long series. Bovada set the over/under at 5-1/2 games, with the over favored at -140. New York has 3/1 odds to win the series in seven games while Boston’s best odds are 6/1 for a series win in six games. The Knicks are favored to open the series with a win as New York is an 8-point favorite for Saturday’s Game 1, according to Odds Shark.
As the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, it shouldn’t be a surprise the Knicks are favored to win the series. The Knicks hold home-court advantage and won three of four games against Boston this season. Still, New York isn’t as big of a favorite as potentially expected. Of the three top seeds in each conference, New York has the lowest odds. San Antonio, the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, is a -750 favorite compared to New York’s -400 odds on Sportsbook.
For more NBA playoff odds, head over to Odds Shark.
More from SB Nation:
See More:
