Eastern Conference playoff odds: Hot Knicks trail only Celtics

The Knicks’ 2-0 series start over the 76ers has them climbing up the odds board in the Eastern Conference. 

After their thrilling comeback win on Monday night, the Knicks now have the second-best odds to win the conference (+650) at BetMGM Sportsbook, trailing only the NBA Finals favorite Celtics, who are -250 to come out of the East. 

It’s been a rapid rise for Tom Thibodeau’s club of late. 

About two weeks ago, the Knicks were +2000 to win the East, which were the sixth-best odds in the conference at the time. 

A few days later, they jumped to +1200, which sat behind the Celtics, 76ers and Bucks. 

Now, just two wins away from the second round, the Knicks have leapfrogged the latter two teams.

Eastern Conference odds

Philadelphia has fallen all the way down to +1400 after sitting at +800 roughly a week ago following two losses to the Knicks and Joel Embiid’s continued injury troubles. 

The Bucks’ health has also dropped them down the board despite a Game 1 win over the Pacers on Sunday. 

Milwaukee is right on the Knicks’ tail at +700 to make the finals. 

The Knicks and Bucks are both tied at +1600 to win the title, which is the fifth-lowest in the NBA behind the Celtics (+140), Nuggets (+260), Clippers (+1300) and Thunder (+1400). 

Betting on the NBA?

The Knicks have consistently been one of the more popular teams among sports bettors this season. 

As of Monday, the Knicks were garnering 23.4 percent of tickets and 14.1 percent of the handle at BetMGM, which both trail only the Celtics. 

They are also getting 4.1 percent of tickets and 3.1 percent of the handle to win the finals.