Oddsmakers Raise Eyebrows as Knicks and Nets Both Start NBA Season 0-3
Both New York basketball franchises face early-season struggles, prompting scrutiny from betting markets.
The New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets have both opened their NBA seasons with identical 0-3 records, leading oddsmakers to question their long-term outlooks. This slow start is a stark contrast to expectations for the Knicks, who are the defending champions, and raises concerns for the Nets as they appear to be heading into another rebuilding year.
The Knicks' winless streak includes a season-opening loss to the 76ers, a defeat against the Celtics in Boston, and a recent home loss to the Orlando Magic. Their most recent game against the Magic saw a significant fourth-quarter collapse, with Orlando scoring 40 points in the final period. Historically, the Knicks join the 2011 Mavericks and 1969 Celtics as the only reigning champions to begin a subsequent season without a win through three games.
The Knicks are set to face the Detroit Pistons next, followed by road games against the Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers. Their upcoming schedule presents challenges, with Detroit having proven tough last season and Chicago's young squad capable of creating a surprise.
Despite the early struggles, oddsmakers still view the Knicks as contenders. At BetMGM, their odds to win the title remain at 10/1, and they are +400 to win the conference. However, their season win total has been adjusted downward to 49.5, a decrease from the 53.5 opening line and the 51.5 figure before the season began.
Meanwhile, the Nets' 0-3 start mirrors their performance from the beginning of the previous season, when they went 0-7. Their losses have come against the Charlotte Hornets at home, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Indiana Pacers.
The Nets' upcoming schedule includes games against the Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, and Indiana Pacers. At FanDuel, the Nets are favored at -340 to reach at least 20 wins and -105 to reach 25 or more.
The next matchup between the two struggling New York teams is scheduled for the following Monday. Both franchises and their fanbases will be hoping for a victory by then, a sentiment that seems cautiously optimistic given their current trajectories.