One day after surprisingly closing as 1.5-point favorites against the third-place Nuggets (who, granted, were missing a few key players) and winning, 104-96, the Grizzlies will take on the 13-35 Knicks.
As you'd expect, their spread has increased given the worse opponent, all the way up to … -2.5.
The Grizzlies are obviously on the second game of a back-to-back, but so are the Knicks. The only major difference between last night's game and tonight's is this one won't be played in Memphis.
And bettors are not shying away from the opportunity to back a playoff team against one fighting to avoid the label of worst team in the East.
In fact, the Grizzlies are getting 90% of bets as of Wednesday afternoon, putting the Knicks (10%) on pace to be the least popular NBA bet of the season.
Odds as of Wednesday at 1:40 p.m. ET and via PointsBet, where Action Network users can access an exclusive promotion to get a 200% deposit match (deposit $50, bet with $150).No strings attached. No rollover required.
Least Popular 2019-20 NBA Spread Bets
- Warriors +7 vs. Spurs, Nov. 1: 14%
- Knicks +11.5 vs. Lakers, Jan. 22: 15%
- Suns +10 vs. Clippers, Oct. 26: 15%
- 7 bets tied for 16%
- 4 bets tied for 17%
The Knicks are obviously familiar with this level of unpopularity recently, as they're a week removed from a 15% backing against the Lakers.
If tonight's 10% mark does hold, which is unlikely, it would be only the fourth such occurrence in our database (since 2005).
Least Popular NBA Spread Bets Since 2005
- Hornets +8 vs. Celtics, Nov. 24, 2007: 8%
- Timberwolves +5 vs. Nuggets, Nov. 29, 2008: 9%
- Warriors +3.5 vs. Kings, Feb. 2, 2005: 10%
- 76ers +9 vs. Lakers, Dec. 3, 2008: 11%
- Timberwolves +10 vs. Cavaliers, Dec. 17, 2008: 11%
Of the 82 teams to close with 15% or fewer spread bets since '05, 81 have been underdogs and 80 have been at home. They've gone an even 41-41 against the spread.
