The NBA Finals are now set with the San Antonio Spurs (74-27) taking on the New York Knicks (66-31). The first game of the best-of-seven is on Wednesday night at 8:30pmET from San Antonio. The Knicks have won 11 straight postseason games to get to their first Finals since 1999. They played the Spurs in that series, who won their first NBA title. San Antonio needed seven games to get by No. 1 seed Oklahoma City, winning Game 7 on Sunday night on the road. New York was simply dominant in the Eastern Conference, winning by an average of 23.8 points per game.
Knicks are 55-42-1 ATS, 46-50-1 O/U, 28-20 road, 36-11 home.
Spurs are: 57-42-2 ATS, 47-54 O/U, 35-15 road, 38-11 home.
Series Odds
Spurs -205/Knicks +170
(odds are from DraftKings) (stats are postseason unless otherwise indicated)
These teams have met three times this season, including once in the NBA Cup Title game on Dec. 16 with the Knicks winning 124-113 from Las Vegas. New York also crushed the Spurs at home on March 1, 114-89. San Antonio edged the Knicks 134-132 at home on Dec. 31. After February 1, the Spurs lost just two more regular-season games in which Victor Wembanyama played in. One was an overtime game in Denver and the other was on March 1 against the Knicks. In that game, the Spurs had an 11-game winning streak and New York dominated from the jump, led by a 26-2 run in the first half.
New York has been the best team in the postseason, led by Jalen Brunson (26.9ppg, 6.6apg, 48.6% FG). OG Anunoby (19.7ppg, 6.9rpg) has been nearly as good offensively, but it’s his defense that could be the difference in this series. New York also has strong defenders in Mikal Bridges (14.6ppg), Josh Hart (11.4ppg, 8.6rpg, 4.6apg) and C Mitchell Robinson (5.3ppg, 5.5rpg), who has the length to defend 7-5 Victor Wembanyama, but his free throw shooting (30.2% FT) can be a major issue, especially late in games.
Wembanyama, who is just 22, led the Spurs to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2014, when they beat Miami in five games. He’s been the real MVP in the postseason, averaging 23.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.5 blocks, while shooting 37% from 3-point range, 87% from the line and 51% from the field. Even stats don’t assess how he changes the game defensively in the paint. The Knicks, unlike the Thunder, has a center in Karl-Anthony Towns, who can take Wemby to the perimeter, and shoot three-pointers (48.9%), but has also has the physicality to take him down low at 270 pounds. San Antonio is more than just Wemby and they showed that against the Thunder. Stephon Castle (19.2ppg, 6.7apg) has star written all over him, though he needs to limit the turnovers (3.7tpg). De’Aaron Fox (16.4ppg, 5.9apg), has missed two games due to injury and he’s not always on the floor late in games due to defense. But when you look at all their 6-6 to 6-8 players, it’s remarkable and coach Mitch Johnson, has been able to find the right wings at the right moment led by Castle, Devin Vassell (13ppg), Julian Champagnie (11.3ppg, 39.3% 3pt), Keldon Johnson (8.7ppg), Dylan Harper (13.1ppg, 5.3rpg) and Carter Bryant (2.9ppg).
Series Props
Spurs 4-3 (+310)
Series Leader (Total Points)
Jalen Brunson (+140)
Total 3s made
Julian Champagnie +240
Assists Leader
Josh Hart +1100
Highest Scoring performance
Jalen Brunson +150
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ATS Lock Clubs Continue to Dominate
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