What happened: Yahoo Sports compiled predictions from a panel of 13 analysts on the NBA Finals, and 10 of them picked against the New York Knicks. The roundup frames New York as the underdog in expert opinion heading into the championship round.

Why it matters: The skew matters because it sets the narrative pressure on a Knicks team that fought its way to the NBA Finals and is now being cast as the team to beat against, not for. Analyst consensus shapes how a series is covered and how a home crowd at MSG responds, even though predictions carry no weight once the ball is tipped.

What to watch: Watch whether the Knicks lean into the doubt as motivation and how the panel's split holds up once the series is underway.