The Knicks' 2-0 lead on the Celtics has created value on both sides of the series line
The Knicks' 2-0 lead on the Celtics has created value on both sides of the series line
In most cases, when a team takes a 2-0 series lead in the playoffs, that team becomes a massive favorite to complete the series win and move on. The Eastern Conference semifinal series between the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics isn't most cases.
Despite a 2-0 lead on the Celtics, the Knicks are still series underdogs at +100 odds at DraftKings, trailing the Celtics at -120 because, well, it's hard to imagine the defending champs will continue losing the way they have, blowing multiple 20-point leads.
The Knicks' 2-0 advantage on Boston is stunning, and not just because they were a +500 underdog entering the series. It's also because the Celtics were the East's overall title favorites, expected to prevail over every other team on their side of the bracket. The odd circumstances of it all has created value on both sides of the line, according to DraftKings director Johnny Avello.
"The Knicks, there's an opportunity. The team's up 2-0 and they're still getting even money. So, if you think the Knicks can finish this team off at some point -- because Celtics gotta win four out of five -- that's still some pretty good value on the Knicks," Avello told BetFTW. "But, it's also value on the Celtics if you think they're going to rebound from this 0-2 deficit. So, we're seeing money on both of those sides."
He's right. The Celtics opened the series as -800 favorites. They're now -120 to prevail, which is value that wasn't previously available for people who still believe they can bounce back. Plenty people do. Boston remains the second overall title favorite at +310, which is far better than the Knicks at +1300 and only trails the Oklahoma City Thunder at +130.
It's a much different story than what's happening in the other East semifinal, where the underdog Pacers' 2-0 lead completely flipped their series odds against the Cleveland Cavaliers to become a -205 favorite. Bettors think the Cavs can bounce back, Avello said, but it's a cautious optimism: "We're not seeing them bet with both hands."
Given how underdogs have dominated the early part of the second round, smart money might just shift to the Thunder, who redeemed their Game 1 loss to Denver with a 43-point beatdown. "The Thunder bounced back [Wednesday], and they bounced back in a big way. So I believe that the bettors will continue to bet the Thunder," Avello said.
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