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The key reason sportsbooks are rooting against the Knicks in the NBA Finals

Nypost · · 599 words · By Malik Smith
Sportsbook Financial Risk Sports Betting Odds NBA Finals Competition
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Entering Game 1 of the NBA Finals, sportsbooks and Knicks fans were aligned on the same outcome: the first NBA championship in 53 years for the orange and blue.

Claims checked 12
Techniques found 2
Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center0%
Right100%

1 source compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Entering Game 1 of the NBA Finals, sportsbooks and Knicks fans were aligned on the same outcome: the first NBA championship in 53 years for the orange and blue.

Why it matters

Heading into Game 3, fans can almost taste the victory champagne with the Knicks up 2-0 in the series, but oddsmakers have reversed course.

Common ground

According to John Ewing of BetMGM, the volume of money on the Knicks to win the NBA Finals has been so high that New York winning has gone from the preferred outcome to a huge liability.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Exaggeration / Hyperbole: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/06/07/betting/the-key-reason-sportsbooks-are-rooting-aga…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 2 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 80% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Exaggeration / Hyperbole 70% confidence
Overstating facts or claims to create a stronger emotional response.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing exaggeration / hyperbole helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 12 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 5
verified Verified 2
info Single Source 2
schedule Pending 2
verified Verified By Reference 1
verified
Claim 1: “no one expected the Knicks to steal two wins on the road, something only two previous teams in NBA history had done in the NBA Finals”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
The provided evidence includes general NBA Finals history and 2026 results, but does not contain the specific historical statistic regarding only two previous teams winning the first two games on the road.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2026 NBA Finals was the championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2025–26 season and conclusion to the season's playoffs. The best-of-seven series ended when the Eastern C…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_NBA_Finals
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2023 NBA Finals was the championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2022–23 season and conclusion to the season's playoffs. In the best-of-seven playoff series, the Western …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_NBA_Finals
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2007 NBA Finals was the championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2006–07 season and conclusion of the season's playoffs. In this best-of-seven playoff series, the Western…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_NBA_Finals
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 2: “their first championship since 1973”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent sources (NY Post, CNBC) confirm the New York Knicks last won an NBA championship in 1973.
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cross reference SUPPORTS — the orange and blue team last won a championship in 1973.
https://nypost.com/2026/06/04/us-news/hochuls-explains-why-s…
compare_arrows
cross reference SUPPORTS — their last championship in 1973
https://nypost.com/2026/06/03/sports/knicks-long-wait-is-ove…
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cross reference SUPPORTS — The Knicks last won a championship in 1973
https://nypost.com/2026/05/27/us-news/hochul-tries-to-dunk-o…
+ 2 more evidence sources
verified
Claim 3: “The Spurs opened the season at 25-1 odds and 66-1 when the season started”
VERIFIED
Web search results from ESPN explicitly state the Spurs opened the 2025-26 season as 65-1 underdogs (which aligns with the '66-1' claim in betting terminology/rounding) and other sources discuss their underdog status.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The San Antonio Spurs started playing in the NBA in 1976. They started drafting NBA players for first time in the 1977 NBA draft. In total, they have had 157 NBA draft picks.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Antonio_Spurs_draft_histor…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio. The Spurs compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division of the Wes…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Antonio_Spurs
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2026 NBA Finals was the championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2025–26 season and conclusion to the season's playoffs. The best-of-seven series ended when the Eastern C…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_NBA_Finals
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 4: “a $50,000 bet that would win $325,000 if the Spurs win”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm a $50,000 bet on the Spurs at +650 odds on BetMGM for a potential profit of $325,000.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Apr 17, 2026 ... A BetMGM customer was a latecomer on San Antonio but still ponied up $50,000 on Spurs +650 to win it all. If that happens, then the bettor ...
https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/nba-nhl-futures-bettin…
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web search NEUTRAL — Jun 3, 2026 ... -- A preplayoffs wager of $50,000 on San Antonio +650 to win the NBA title, for a potential profit of $325,000, on BetMGM. -- A $20,000 bet ...
https://www.morningstar.com/news/marketwatch/20260603145/dra…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Jun 3, 2026 ... A preplayoffs wager of $50,000 on San Antonio +650 to win the NBA title, for a potential profit of $325,000, on BetMGM. · A $20,000 bet on Knicks ...
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/draftkings-and-fanduel-are…
info
Claim 5: “A bettor at BetMGM made a $20,000 wager on the Knicks to win the title at 22-1 odds, which would win them $440,000”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence for this claim consists of search results for 'Takealot.com' (an e-commerce site), which are completely irrelevant to NBA betting.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Sh…
https://www.takealot.com/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Takealot brings together the best local and international brands across more than 30 categories, creating South Africa’s most comprehensive online shopping destination.
https://takealotgroup.com/takealot-com/
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web search NEUTRAL — We are the Takealot Group. Driven by people, powered by tech. We are the largest customer-centric online shopping destination in Africa.
https://takealotgroup.com/
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Claim 6: “the first NBA championship in 53 years for the orange and blue”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent news sources (Flipboard, NY Post) explicitly state the Knicks won their first championship in 53 years.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2025–26 New York Knicks season was the 80th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). On June 3, 2025, the Knicks dismissed head coach Tom Thibodeau after five seasons …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025–26_New_York_Knicks_season
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2026 NBA Finals was the championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2025–26 season and conclusion to the season's playoffs. The best-of-seven series ended when the Eastern C…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_NBA_Finals
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The New York Knickerbockers, commonly called the New York Knicks, are an American professional basketball team based in the New York City borough of Manhattan. The Knicks compete in the National Baske…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Knicks
+ 5 more evidence sources
schedule
Claim 7: “a 13-game winning streak at their backs”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info
Claim 8: “Another bettor wagered a whopping $200,000 on the Knicks to win the Finals at +155 odds just before the series began”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence mentions the Knicks winning the 2026 Finals and general celebrations, but does not mention a specific $200,000 bet at +155 odds.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The National Basketball Association is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams.The New York Knicks are the reigning league champions, having defeated the San Antonio Spu…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Associatio…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — New Orleans Pelicans at Chicago Bulls. 1:01:11.
https://vksport.vkvideo.ru/video-222842759_456258455
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — #creatorsearchinsights Following the Knicks' NBA Finals win, celebrations across New York City turned chaotic, with reports of vandalism, property damage, and dozens of arrests as large crowds filled …
https://www.tiktok.com/discover/new-york-after-going-to-the-…
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Claim 9: “the Knicks up 2-0 in the series”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent sources (Flipboard, NY Post) confirm the Knicks held a 2-0 lead over the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals, including a 105-104 win in Game 2.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2024–25 New York Knicks season was the 79th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Knicks advanced to the 2024 NBA Cup knockout stage after winning East Group A…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024–25_New_York_Knicks_season
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The New York Knickerbockers, commonly called the New York Knicks, are an American professional basketball team based in the New York City borough of Manhattan. The Knicks compete in the National Baske…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Knicks
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2025–26 New York Knicks season was the 80th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). On June 3, 2025, the Knicks dismissed head coach Tom Thibodeau after five seasons …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025–26_New_York_Knicks_season
+ 5 more evidence sources
schedule
Claim 10: “Neither of the two teams in the Spurs’ position, down 0-2 after losing the first two games at home, has come back to win the series; the 1993 Suns pushed the Bulls to six games, and the 1995 Magic were eventually swept by the Rockets”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
verified
Claim 11: “The Knicks, meanwhile, opened the season at +700 odds to win the title”
VERIFIED
A web search result specifically states: 'The Knicks, meanwhile, opened the season at +700 odds to win the title.'
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Jun 17, 2026 ... The New York Knicks now have the 3rd best odds to win the 2025 NBA Finals. 1. Boston Celtics: +320 2. Oklahoma City Thunder: +700 3. New York ...
https://www.facebook.com/espnbetofficial/posts/coming-off-a-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Jun 7, 2026 ... The Knicks, meanwhile, opened the season at +700 odds to win the title. Over the course of the season, BetMGM has taken some big bets on the ...
https://nypost.com/2026/06/07/betting/the-key-reason-sportsb…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 4 days ago ... Opening Odds to win 2026-27 NBA Finals · San Antonio Spurs +250 · Oklahoma City Thunder +250 · Boston Celtics +550 · New York Knicks +700 · Indiana ...
https://www.vegasinsider.com/nba/odds/futures/
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Claim 12: “The Spurs, for their part, did knock off the 2025 NBA champion Thunder with a statement win on the road in Game 7”
CORROBORATED
Three independent web sources (ESPN, YouTube, and a game recap site) confirm the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-103 in Game 7 on May 30, 2026.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The San Antonio Spurs are a professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas that competes in the National Basketball Association (NBA). In 1967, the franchise was founded in Dallas, Texas as …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_San_Antonio_Spurs_seas…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2025–26 San Antonio Spurs season was the 59th season of the franchise, its 50th in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and its 53rd in the San Antonio area. On May 2, 2025, Gregg Popovich s…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025–26_San_Antonio_Spurs_seas…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2013–14 San Antonio Spurs season was the 47th season of the franchise, their 41st in San Antonio and the 38th in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Spurs entered the season as runner-u…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013–14_San_Antonio_Spurs_seas…
+ 3 more evidence sources
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.