<!–>
As a Chicago kid who grew up rooting for MJ’s Bulls throughout the 1990s, I witnessed some battles between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers.
Patrick Ewing and Pat Riley.
Reggie Miller and Larry Bird.
Mark Jackson both ways.
You’re humming “Roundball Rock,” aren’t you?
Here we are, decades later, as the Knicks and Pacers meet for a chance to reach the 2025 NBA Finals. The main characters and supporting cast are much, much different, but the rivalry remains very real.
And these fan bases hate each other.
The first Las Vegas sportsbook to hang a series price was the Westgate SuperBook. It opened New York -145 ($145 wins $100), which felt fair. You knew the Knicks would be favored, with home court and their near 40-point beatdown of big, bad Boston to eliminate the Celtics being the cherry on top.
Within 10 minutes, the SuperBook was at Knicks -160.
The betting market has bounced around over the last four days and the current consensus price is sitting around Knicks -150. That gives New York a 40-cent edge because Game 7 is at Madison Square Garden.
“There was some disagreement in the room,” SuperBook’s VP of Race and Sports John Murray told FOX Sports. “One of our guys has been anti-Knicks all the way, and now they’re favored in the conference final.
ADVERTISEMENT
–>
“We did take a Pacers’ bet from a very sharp player on Monday night. It was $10,000 to win $14,000 in the series market. That got our attention.”
One of my NBA wise guys likes Indiana, too.
“The Pacers have more players, more versatility,” he said via text. “It might not be fair to this current Knicks group, but the [Tom] Thibodeau factor is real. His teams always burn out, especially his old teams back in Chicago.
“I have this series much closer to a pick ‘em.”
No matter which side you like, please shop around. You can save yourself plenty of vigorish just by making your bet at the appropriate sportsbook.
Pacers-Knicks series prices:
FanDuel: Knicks -144, Pacers +122
DraftKings: Knicks -145, Pacers +125
Caesars: Knicks -150, Pacers +125
BetMGM: Knicks -155, Pacers +130
SuperBook: Knicks -155, Pacers +135
Circa: Knicks -160, Pacers +140
Ric Bucher on Jalen Brunson, Thunder vs. Wolves, Knicks vs. Pacers
The budding rivalry between star players Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton should make for exciting television. The crowd shots will not disappoint, either.
In one corner, you’ve got my fellow corn-fed Midwesterners.
In “celebrity corner,” it’s Spike Lee and Timothée Chalamet.
Choose your fighters wisely.
I do respect the positions from the aforementioned wise guys on the Pacers. Brunson is the best player, but I believe Indiana is the better team. And let’s not discount head coach Rick Carlisle’s championship experience.
I’ll be betting the underdog early and often.
“I would rather see New York win,” Murray admitted. “It would be better for business in the next round. Oklahoma City and New York will draw.”
Sorry John, you can’t always get what you want.
PICK: Pacers (+140) win series
Sam Panayotovich is a sports betting analyst for FOX Sports and the BetMGM Network. He previously worked for WGN Radio, NBC Sports and VSiN. Follow him on Twitter @spshoot.
Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
recommended
NBA Champions by Year: Complete list of NBA Finals winners
2025 NBA Playoffs Schedule: How to watch NBA Finals, TV, streaming, free
Timberwolves vs. Thunder odds, predictions: Back Oklahoma City to advance
2025 NBA playoff bracket: Updated schedule, scores
2025 NBA playoff odds: Can anyone break Jordan, LeBron scoring records?
2025 NBA playoff odds: Final Four teams buck preseason title odds
Pacers vs. Knicks: Playoff series schedule, scores, TV channel, how to watch
Celtics plan to ‘compete for championships,’ but offseason could change that
2025 NBA Conference Finals odds, predictions: Back Anthony Edwards to win WCF MVP
Get more from National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Women’s Champions League final betting: Will it be Arsenal or Barcelona who make history?
For more stories like this, click here to follow The Athletic’s sports betting section and have them added to your feed.This Saturday, Lisbon’s Jose Alvalade Stadium will host a thrilling showdown between two teams eager to make history in the Women’s Champions League final.It’s Arsenal versus Barcelona, three-peat chasers taking on the British long shots, two-time Ballon d’Or victor Aitana Bonmatí duking up against joint-WSL Golden Boot winner Alessia Russo. The selling point is that Barcelona could become the second team in history to lift the trophy for a third successive year, while Arsenal could become the first English side to win it since the 2006/07 campaign.AdvertisementSo, we’ve outlined the most intriguing storylines and enticing odds to help guide your wagering decisions.The comeback queensOdds via Betfair Arsenal to win: 17/2 Barcelona to win: 1/7 It’s been a tumultuous year for […]
Championship play-off final odds: Can Sunderland halt Sheffield United’s Premier League push?
For more stories like this, click here to follow The Athletic’s sports betting section and have them added to your feed.It’s here. It’s time. This weekend, Sheffield United face Sunderland in a contest dubbed “the richest game in football,” worth an estimated £220 million to the victor.Under Wembley Stadium’s magnificent arch, one team will achieve promotion to the Premier League, while the other will stare distantly at the prospect of another campaign in England’s second tier.AdvertisementLet’s run the rule over what to expect and apply a betting lens as we go, picking out intriguing wagers along the way.There’s a clear favourite — and rightly soAs is often the case, the 2024/25 Championship table roughly split itself into groups. Three teams emerged as candidates for the top two (and therefore automatic promotion), another cluster became playoff hopefuls, and those below accepted […]
Premier League top-five betting: Who will secure European football on the final weekend?
For more stories like this, click here to follow The Athletic’s sports betting section and have them added to your feed.It’s here. You’ve made it through all the plot twists and turmoil to the final weekend of the 2024/25 Premier League season. The title race has been decided, and we know who’s going down.AdvertisementBut we still have five teams contending for a coveted spot in next year’s Champions League. Let’s look at each team’s odds, their recent form and whether there’s any betting value to be found.Manchester City Odds to finish in the top five: 1/25 Final fixture: Away to Fulham In unsettling news for the rest of England: City are back, and the numbers are there to prove it. Since Feb. 1, the Citizens have been the second-best team in non-penalty goal expected goal differential (non-penalty xGD), trailing only […]
Sky Sports’ end-of-season awards: MVP, best signing & goal
After another memorable season of Premier League football, the Sky Sports football writers have got together to pick their end-of-season gongs covering everything from the best game, to the most outstanding save and young player. Sunday 25th May 3:00pm Kick off 4:00pm Best player: Mohamed Salah Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Saturday Social try and work out who the 10 standout players have been in the Premier League this season When a player breaks the record for goal involvements in a 38-game Premier League season and fires his team to the title, it makes this category pretty routine. Step forward, Mo Salah. The Liverpool star has taken his game to new levels at the age of 32, posting career-best figures for assists to go with his huge haul of goals. Yes, Virgil van Dijk has […]
Everything to know about the first-ever Wienie 500 on Indy 500 Carb Day
<!--> The day is finally here. On Friday afternoon, Oscar Mayer’s six iconic Wienermobiles will hit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first-ever "Wienie 500" race, in celebration of Sunday's Indianapolis 500 (12:30 p.m. ET on FOX).It marks the first time in a decade all six vehicles in the company fleet will be at the same location, and it’s the first time they’ve ever raced.Here's everything you need to know about the Wienie 500.What is the Wienie 500?The "Wienie 500" is a first-of-its-kind spectacle where the fleet of Wienermobiles will haul buns to the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a race unlike any other.When is the Wienie 500?The race is scheduled for Friday at 2 p.m. during race week’s annual Carb Day festivities.How can I watch the Wienie 500?The race will be streamed live on Friday, May 23 at 2 […]
Everything to know about the first-ever Wienie 500 on Indy 500 Carb Day
<!--> The day is finally here. On Friday afternoon, Oscar Mayer’s six iconic Wienermobiles will hit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first-ever "Wienie 500" race, in celebration of Sunday's Indianapolis 500 (12:30 p.m. ET on FOX).It marks the first time in a decade all six vehicles in the company fleet will be at the same location, and it’s the first time they’ve ever raced.Here's everything you need to know about the Wienie 500.What is the Wienie 500?The "Wienie 500" is a first-of-its-kind spectacle where the fleet of Wienermobiles will haul buns to the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a race unlike any other.When is the Wienie 500?The race is scheduled for Friday at 2 p.m. during race week’s annual Carb Day festivities.How can I watch the Wienie 500?The race will be streamed live on Friday, May 23 at 2 […]
Related
Women’s Champions League final betting: Will it be Arsenal or Barcelona who make history?
For more stories like this, click here to follow The Athletic’s sports betting section and have them added to your feed.This Saturday, Lisbon’s Jose Alvalade Stadium will host a thrilling showdown between two teams eager to make history in the Women’s Champions League final.It’s Arsenal versus Barcelona, three-peat chasers taking on the British long shots, two-time Ballon d’Or victor Aitana Bonmatí duking up against joint-WSL Golden Boot winner Alessia Russo. The selling point is that Barcelona could become the second team in history to lift the trophy for a third successive year, while Arsenal could become the first English side to win it since the 2006/07 campaign.AdvertisementSo, we’ve outlined the most intriguing storylines and enticing odds to help guide your wagering decisions.The comeback queensOdds via Betfair Arsenal to win: 17/2 Barcelona to win: 1/7 It’s been a tumultuous year for […]
Championship play-off final odds: Can Sunderland halt Sheffield United’s Premier League push?
For more stories like this, click here to follow The Athletic’s sports betting section and have them added to your feed.It’s here. It’s time. This weekend, Sheffield United face Sunderland in a contest dubbed “the richest game in football,” worth an estimated £220 million to the victor.Under Wembley Stadium’s magnificent arch, one team will achieve promotion to the Premier League, while the other will stare distantly at the prospect of another campaign in England’s second tier.AdvertisementLet’s run the rule over what to expect and apply a betting lens as we go, picking out intriguing wagers along the way.There’s a clear favourite — and rightly soAs is often the case, the 2024/25 Championship table roughly split itself into groups. Three teams emerged as candidates for the top two (and therefore automatic promotion), another cluster became playoff hopefuls, and those below accepted […]
Premier League top-five betting: Who will secure European football on the final weekend?
For more stories like this, click here to follow The Athletic’s sports betting section and have them added to your feed.It’s here. You’ve made it through all the plot twists and turmoil to the final weekend of the 2024/25 Premier League season. The title race has been decided, and we know who’s going down.AdvertisementBut we still have five teams contending for a coveted spot in next year’s Champions League. Let’s look at each team’s odds, their recent form and whether there’s any betting value to be found.Manchester City Odds to finish in the top five: 1/25 Final fixture: Away to Fulham In unsettling news for the rest of England: City are back, and the numbers are there to prove it. Since Feb. 1, the Citizens have been the second-best team in non-penalty goal expected goal differential (non-penalty xGD), trailing only […]
Sky Sports’ end-of-season awards: MVP, best signing & goal
After another memorable season of Premier League football, the Sky Sports football writers have got together to pick their end-of-season gongs covering everything from the best game, to the most outstanding save and young player. Sunday 25th May 3:00pm Kick off 4:00pm Best player: Mohamed Salah Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Saturday Social try and work out who the 10 standout players have been in the Premier League this season When a player breaks the record for goal involvements in a 38-game Premier League season and fires his team to the title, it makes this category pretty routine. Step forward, Mo Salah. The Liverpool star has taken his game to new levels at the age of 32, posting career-best figures for assists to go with his huge haul of goals. Yes, Virgil van Dijk has […]
Everything to know about the first-ever Wienie 500 on Indy 500 Carb Day
<!--> The day is finally here. On Friday afternoon, Oscar Mayer’s six iconic Wienermobiles will hit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first-ever "Wienie 500" race, in celebration of Sunday's Indianapolis 500 (12:30 p.m. ET on FOX).It marks the first time in a decade all six vehicles in the company fleet will be at the same location, and it’s the first time they’ve ever raced.Here's everything you need to know about the Wienie 500.What is the Wienie 500?The "Wienie 500" is a first-of-its-kind spectacle where the fleet of Wienermobiles will haul buns to the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a race unlike any other.When is the Wienie 500?The race is scheduled for Friday at 2 p.m. during race week’s annual Carb Day festivities.How can I watch the Wienie 500?The race will be streamed live on Friday, May 23 at 2 […]
Everything to know about the first-ever Wienie 500 on Indy 500 Carb Day
<!--> The day is finally here. On Friday afternoon, Oscar Mayer’s six iconic Wienermobiles will hit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first-ever "Wienie 500" race, in celebration of Sunday's Indianapolis 500 (12:30 p.m. ET on FOX).It marks the first time in a decade all six vehicles in the company fleet will be at the same location, and it’s the first time they’ve ever raced.Here's everything you need to know about the Wienie 500.What is the Wienie 500?The "Wienie 500" is a first-of-its-kind spectacle where the fleet of Wienermobiles will haul buns to the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a race unlike any other.When is the Wienie 500?The race is scheduled for Friday at 2 p.m. during race week’s annual Carb Day festivities.How can I watch the Wienie 500?The race will be streamed live on Friday, May 23 at 2 […]
Be the first to leave a comment