The Knicks are massive favorites to move onto the Eastern Conference Finals after their triumphant victory over the Pacers in Game 2.
FanDuel has moved the Knicks to -400 favorites to win this second-round series, as Indiana is backed into a 2-0 hole and has to win four of their next five games to take the series.
This is actually down slightly from the -650 price it had been at immediately following Game 2, but OG Anunoby’s status for Game 3 and beyond is clearly rearing its ugly head.
In theory, it is likely that the sports betting community fired on the Pacers after their disappointing Game 2 loss to the Knicks.
The Knicks are not expected to sweep the Pacers by any means despite the overwhelming expectation that they advance to the next round, as FanDuel puts them at +750 to win the series 4-0.
From the bettor’s perspective, the most likely event is that the Knicks win this series in five games, finishing them off at The Garden after splitting two games in Indianapolis.
Perhaps there’s less reason for optimism for the Knicks after their hard-fought, old-school style of victory on Wednesday night.
Anunoby appeared to injure his hamstring when he came up hobbling after a drive to the basket.
During the early moments of the game when star guard Jalen Brunson was out with a foot injury, Anunoby carried their offense with several key baskets and leading the teams first half scoring.
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It appeared that the Knicks could be on their way out of the game if Brunson wasn’t healthy enough to continue, but he was serenaded by MVP chants as he reappeared from the locker room.
With Anunoby’s status for the series in doubt, the Knicks will need further production from an already short bench.
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The Knicks are routinely playing seven players and already asking Josh Hart to play 48 minutes each game.
The Knicks are massive eight-point underdogs on the road in Friday’s Game 3 and are +270 on the moneyline.