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Posted at 12:30 PM EST. 

Atlanta -1½ over NEW YORK

8:00 PM EST. The Knicks were once a plucky upstart this season that was a laughing stock to many in this market. However, at 32-27, New York is no longer undervalued and under the radar. To play winning basketball in "The Mecca" is akin to a starring role on Broadway or having your works displayed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. That is to say, if you can make it in "The Big Apple", you can make it anywhere. So where does that leave these Knickerbockers? Well, we've seen their popularity in the marketplace soar in the second half of the season.

The Knicks were a massively popular play last night as a five-point favorite at home against the Hornets. The final result? Easy winner, 109-97. Now, just one night later, the Knicks are a dog, but that change in role has done nothing to sway market perception. We’re expecting to see the Knicks favored by game time because they are such an appealing looking play today.

The Hawks played last night as well, but it's hard to call any game with a team like the Magic "hard fought." Atlanta cruised to a 112-96 victory, but they were double digit chalk and so we doubt that pounding on the pond scum that is the Magic is going to carry much weight. Meanwhile, the Knicks allowed just 31 second half points against the Hornets. That stat line is getting much attention today, thus inflating the Knicks stock even more.

To say the Knicks stock is at a 10 year high might sound like hyperbole, but it has been a long, long time since this team was sniffing a playoff run this late in the season. New York has won eight in a row and just snuck past the Celtics for fifth in the East. Only six teams are guaranteed a playoff spot after the play-in tournament and for the moment, the Knicks are in that mix. We say for the moment because New York is just 1½ games up on seventh place Miami. There is a fine line between a ticket punched and one that still has to be earned when the final buzzer sounds on the regular season. For the first time in a long time, the Knicks are facing high expectations. It is with that in mind that we are very much in "sell now" mode with the Knicks. This is a team that has to be faded when the price is inflated and thus, we'll start tonight and see where this journey takes us.

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