As the Conference Finals get underway, the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers renew their '90s rivalry, meeting in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000 — the last time the Knicks made it this far.
While the Knicks enter the series as $1.45 favourites to advance, according to bookmaker Sportsbet, the Pacers have proven they are a genuine threat after making it to this point for the second straight season, including beating the Knicks in the second round of last season's playoffs.
With both teams led by their superstar point guards, the bookies have Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton rightly as the favourites to win the Larry Bird Trophy.
In each of the previous three seasons since the awards inception, the winner has been from the team that has advanced to the NBA Finals.
Let's take a look at the favourite, sleeper and overall odds.
Favourite: Jalen Brunson ($1.83 with Sportsbet)
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Brunson has been monstrous for the Knicks in the postseason, averaging 28.8 points, 7.7 assists, and 3.9 rebounds on .440/.363/.819 shooting splits.
As we've come to expect from the reigning Clutch Player of the Year, no one in the playoffs this season has scored more points in crunchtime than the 28-year-old, leading the playoffs in total clutch points.
With the Knicks favoured to win the series, Brunson is rightly the favourite to take home the award.
Sleeper: Pascal Siakam ($12 with Sportsbet)
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If the Pacers can upset the Knicks, point guard Tyrese Haliburton will likely be the reason why, but there's a universe where Pascal Siakam's consistency leads the Pacers to victory.
Siakam is putting up a solid 18.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists on .547/.441/.656 so far in the playoffs, and with Haliburton likely to attract the bulk of the defensive attention, Siakam is poised to be the leading offensive threat for Indy.
It's a longshot, but don't sleep on Siakam's championship experience in big moments.
Eastern Conference Finals MVP Odds
| Player | Odds |
| Jalen Brunson (Knicks) | $1.83 |
| Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers) | $2.75 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks) | $12 |
| Pascal Siakam (Pacers) | $12 |
| Myles Turner (Pacers) | $36 |
| Mikal Bridges (Knicks) | $51 |
| OG Anunoby (Knicks) | $51 |
| Andrew Nembhard (Pacers) | $76 |
| Josh Hart (Knicks) | $101 |
| Aaron Nesmith (Pacers) | $126 |