AdvertisementSKIP ADVERTISEMENTGood morning. The New York Knicks are N.B.A. champions for the first time in 53 years, after defeating the San Antonio Spurs, 94-90, in yet another come-from-behind win. Jalen Brunson, who scored 45 points last night, was named finals M.V.P.The series energized New York in a way few other events have, with celebrations in the streets after every victory. (See photos from last night’s party.) And it resonated far beyond the city, with higher TV ratings than any other N.B.A. finals this century.The games also attracted more than $700 million in bets on the prediction sites Kalshi and Polymarket.
At the start of the series, the Spurs were the favorites. Bettors on those sites put San Antonio’s championship odds at over 60 percent. The Knicks proved them wrong.Betting is fundamentally about risk: You might win, or you might lose. But what if you could game the odds so that you’d always come out on top?ImageImageA watch party outside Madison Square Garden last night.Credit...Dave Sanders for The New York TimesAdvertisementSKIP ADVERTISEMENT
