NBA Playoffs 2026: New York Knicks are new favorite to win the Eastern Conference
The Knicks are now the favorite to win the Eastern Conference entering Round 2 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
It was only a short time ago that the New York Knicks were down 2-1 in their first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks and it seemed as if the sky was falling for Knicks fans. New York turned the series around and won in six games, though, including a historic 140-89 blowout win in Game 6. Now, the Knicks are the favorite to win the Eastern Conference at sportsbooks.
New York has the best odds (+150) of any team to make the NBA Finals from the East, ahead of the Detroit Pistons (+250), Cleveland Cavaliers (+325) and Philadelphia 76ers (+600). The Knicks take over the top spot on the Eastern Conference odds board because the Boston Celtics — the highest power-rated team in the East by oddsmakers heading into the postseason and the previous favorite — lost to the 76ers in seven games after having a 3-1 series lead. Because of Boston’s loss, the Knicks get to take on the 76ers (instead of the Celtics) and are a -250 favorite in the series.
In the other Eastern Conference semifinal series, the No. 1 seed Pistons are slight -120 favorites against the No. 4 seed Cavaliers.
Both teams won in Game 7s on Sunday, with Detroit overcoming a 3-1 series deficit against the Orlando Magic. The Knicks are 7. 5-point home favorites in Game 1 on Monday night against the 76ers.