Is Reggie Miller on the Knicks bandwagon?
The former Pacers great and famed New York villain said during Tuesday’s NBC broadcast of Thunder-Spurs Game 5 that the “Knicks are going to be favored in the Finals,” much to the surprise of just about everyone.
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Miller was questioned about his comments on Wednesday when he appeared on ESPN’s “Pardon the Interruption,” where co-host Tony Kornheiser asked him, “In your heart of hearts, don’t you hate the Knicks?”
“Hate is a very strong [word],” Miller started off saying coyly. “I love the players. I love the organization. It’s the fanbase at times that makes me scratch my head. … Those guys, the way they play, the way they carry themselves, it’s all about business.”
Miller then continued on to clarify what he meant about the Knicks being favored.
While the Knicks have won 11 straight games during their postseason run and dispatched their opponents with relative ease, the Spurs or the Thunder are widely viewed as stronger teams.
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The Knicks are 4.5-point underdogs against the Spurs going into a hypothetical Game 1 matchup and 6.5 underdogs against the Thunder, according to FanDuel.
The New York Knicks holding the Eastern Conference trophy. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“They won’t be the betting favorite,” Miller said. “Obviously, that will be the Spurs or the Thunder. They will be the betting favorite, either one of those teams, but the sentimental people, I think, are pulling for the Knicks because it’s been a bazillion years since they’ve gotten to the Finals. All of New York is on board. That’s what I was trying to say last night.
“And the way they’ve been playing right now, 11 in a row, they are so connected at both ends of the floor, that’s why I think they would be favored, not in the betting aspect of, but in terms of winning a series because of how well they’re connected.”
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Miller became one of the biggest villains in New York sports during the 1990s.
He has leaned into the role at times while appearing as an analyst for NBA coverage, which is how the “Pardon the Interruption” co-host was shocked to hear Miller favoring the Knicks.
The Knicks will know their NBA Finals opponent by Saturday night at the latest.
