No matter where you were in New York City on June 13, the skies were likely orange and blue. Ending a 53-year title drought, the Knicks finally captured NBA supremacy.
Now, 129 days later, they’re back in action to kick off the 2026-27 season.
Jalen Brunson and the Knicks’ quest to climb back to the top of the mountain begins Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.
The reigning champions will host the 76ers, who are aiming to spoil things for Mike Brown and company on ring night.
Oddsmakers have New York as 4.5-point favorites, with the over/under set at 231.5 points.
Knicks vs. 76ers Opening Night prediction, best bets
With so many headlines to pinpoint for this contest, the number of wagers to tackle is endless. For starters, these two squads hold the best odds to win a revamped Eastern Conference gauntlet.
The Knicks are fresh off a historic playoff run that included a 13-game win streak, and Brunson erupted for a franchise-record 45 points to clinch Finals MVP honors in a Game 6 win over the Spurs.
The core of Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, and OG Anunoby remained intact, and the Knicks are essentially the same team minus Mitchell Robinson’s departure, with Brunson as the centerpiece.
The Sixers completely retooled their lineup over the summer, pulling off a blockbuster trade for Jaylen Brown and signing LeBron James in free agency.
Nick Nurse now gets to mesh those veterans with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and V.J. Edgecombe. While Embiid’s physical health will always remain a concern, this is perhaps the most talented cast around the star center in “The Process” era.
However, while Brown and James bring more firepower to the lineup, the latter is just 8-15 on opening night and has lost three openers on his new teams after joining as a free agent.
When James joined the Heat in 2010, they lost to Boston in their season opener. Four years later, his second stint in Cleveland began with a loss to the Knicks, and in 2018, he lost his first game as a Laker in Portland.
Betting on the NBA?
Opening-day games are unpredictable, but the Knicks’ 30-10 home record was among the best in basketball last season. With so many new faces for the Sixers, expect the Knicks’ chemistry and returners, especially in their reserves, to outplay Philly’s unknown rotation.
Brunson has historically put up big numbers against Philadelphia, making a bet on his points total a viable option.
The Play: Same Game Parlay (+113, bet365 Sportsbook): Knicks – 4.5 (-112) + Jalen Brunson to score 20 or more points (-800)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Mike Turay is a sports journalist and editor who closely follows the NBA, NFL, college sports and UFC. He has demonstrated expertise in both NBA and NFL player prop bets for nearly three years. Mike is also highly knowledgeable about the sportsbook offer landscape, frequently trying and reviewing the latest apps and sites.
