Sports · Basketball · 4 hrs ago
76ers draw heavy title bets ahead of Knicks’ banner-raising game
The New York Knicks open their season by raising a championship banner before hosting the Philadelphia 76ers in New York City on Tuesday.
It is the Knicks’ first title banner since the 1972-73 season, and the game is part of the NBA’s opening-night schedule.
The 76ers arrive with LeBron James, alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, after adding James and Jaylen Brown in the offseason.
The Knicks are favored by 4.5 points, while the game’s total is set at 232.5 points.
The 76ers are attracting the most title-bet money at BetMGM, with 37.6% of the money wagered on the championship going to them; the outlet says this makes them the sportsbook’s biggest liability to win.
Oklahoma City and San Antonio are joint favorites at +260, while Philadelphia is listed at +850 and New York at +1000.
The Knicks’ banner night begins Tuesday at Madison Square Garden, with the game scheduled for 7 p.m.
Eastern on NBC.
The Philadelphia 76ers are attracting the largest share of championship bets ahead of their season-opening game against the New York Knicks.
The Knicks will raise their championship banner before hosting the 76ers at Madison Square Garden.
Philadelphia has 37.6% of the championship-bet money and 30.9% of the bets at BetMGM, according to CBS Sports.
The 76ers are listed at +850 to win the title, while the Knicks are at +1000.
LeBron James and the 76ers are drawing attention as the Knicks celebrate their first championship banner since the 1972-73 season.
- Who
- The Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks. LeBron James is among the players highlighted.
- What
- The 76ers are attracting heavy championship betting ahead of a game against the Knicks, who will raise their championship banner.
- When
- The game is scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET.
- Where
- Madison Square Garden in New York City.
- Why
- The Knicks are celebrating their championship, while bettors are backing the 76ers after the team added Jaylen Brown and signed LeBron James.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Knicks and 76ers played a game in Philadelphia, according to a photo caption in Yahoo Sports.
Yahoo Sports published a story about the challenge of the Knicks’ ring night.
The Knicks are scheduled to raise their championship banner before hosting the 76ers at Madison Square Garden.
- 76ers title odds
- +850 at BetMGM
- 76ers share of championship handle
- 37.6%
- 76ers share of championship bets
- 30.9%
- Knicks title odds
- +1000 at BetMGM
- Game venue
- Madison Square Garden, New York City
5 sources
76ers vs. Knicks odds, line: Proven model reveals picks for NBA Opening Night 2026
76ers vs. Knicks NBA odds: LeBron James and Co. open as biggest title liability, aim to ruin NY's banner night
The unavoidable Knicks challenge that comes with ‘kind of weird’ ring night
What people are saying
The Thunder and Spurs are clear favorites to win the NBA Championship, but bettors love the 76ers.
Nearly 40% of all money wagered has been on Philly to win the title after trading for Jaylen Brown and signing LeBron James in the offseason.
The Sixers are the biggest liability to win the championship.