The New York Knicks completed a dominant sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, delivering another road blowout in a close-out game. Now, the Oklahoma City Thunder look to follow suit, holding a 3-0 lead over the Los Angeles Lakers and entering Monday’s Game 4 as heavy favorites to finish the sweep.
Also on Monday, the Cleveland Cavaliers aim to level their series against the Detroit Pistons after a crucial Game 3 victory at home.
Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers enter Game 4 as slight home favorites against the Detroit Pistons.
This article will be updated throughout the second round as betting odds shift with each game’s result.
Eastern Conference
No. 1 Detroit Pistons vs. No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers (Pistons lead 2-1)
Game 4: Monday, 8 p.m. ET
Series odds: Pistons -250, Cavaliers +200
Just as James Harden was drawing criticism for Cleveland’s two losses in Detroit, he delivered in Game 3, scoring on three straight possessions in the final two minutes. Those seven points proved crucial in a 116-109 win that kept the Cavaliers’ hopes alive. Cleveland still faces immense pressure to win Game 4 at home, and the Pistons remain clear favorites to advance, but Harden stepped up in a must-win situation. Donovan Mitchell led the way with 35 points, while Harden finished with 19 as the closer. Cade Cunningham recorded a triple-double for Detroit (27 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) but committed turnovers on three straight late possessions, finishing with eight giveaways. The Cavs are favored by 3.5 points for Game 4.
No. 3 New York Knicks vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers (Knicks win series 4-0)
The Knicks have been in overdrive over the last seven games. After falling behind the Atlanta Hawks 2-1 in the first round, they have won seven straight contests by an average of 26.4 points per game. A 51-point blowout in Game 6 against the Hawks skews the average, but six of those seven wins were by at least 14 points. This dominant run makes New York a favorite to reach the NBA Finals. While the Pistons and Cavaliers battle each other, the Knicks have cruised into their second consecutive Eastern Conference finals. Last year ended poorly, but fans have renewed hope given the team’s current form. The Knicks last made the NBA Finals in 1999.
Western Conference
No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers (Thunder lead 3-0)
Game 4: Monday, 10:30 p.m. ET
Series odds: Thunder -20000, Lakers +7000
It has been nine years since a team opened the playoffs 7-0, and the Thunder have done so without a close game. LeBron James’ 2017 Cleveland Cavaliers were the last to achieve that feat, sweeping the first two rounds before winning the conference finals and then losing the NBA Finals. The Thunder seem unlikely to meet a similar fate, given that their biggest challenger appears to be in their own conference. After winning Game 3 in Los Angeles 131-108, the series appears over. For the second straight game, the Lakers led at halftime only to be blown out in the second half. Oklahoma City scored 74 points after the break to seal the win early. Unsurprisingly, the series odds are extreme: at -20000, a $1,000 bet on the Thunder would yield minimal returns.
