The San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks enter the NBA Finals with momentum and plenty of storylines. The Spurs captured the attention of the basketball world by going into Oklahoma City and winning Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, thanks to team-wide contributions, clutch shots and the all-around efforts of superstar Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs (-205) head into Game 1 Wednesday as the favorites to win the series over the Knicks.
But New York cannot be overlooked. The Knicks are well-rested, having swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, and have rattled off 11 consecutive wins by an average of 23.8 points.
What should you expect in this 1999 Finals rematch? What are the bets to make before it begins? Andre Snellings, Eric Moody, Eric Karabell, Jim McCormick and Steve Alexander offer the analysis behind their favorite bets for the series:
Odds by DraftKings Sportsbook and subject to change.
San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks
San Antonio Spurs 4-3 (+320): The Spurs can win this series if Wembanyama stays aggressive, controls his space and forces the Knicks to defend him downhill. San Antonio's guards also have to handle New York's pressure without losing their dribble penetration. If the Spurs' defense stalls the Knicks and creates transition chances, they have a real path to their first title since 2014. -- Moody
New York Knicks +1.5 games (-140): I have been a big proponent for the Spurs as the champions for months, and I believe Wembanyama to be the best player in the NBA right now... but I also believe the Knicks are being underestimated.
The level they have achieved in winning 11 straight playoffs games by combined 273 total points is historic. While none of the Knicks' previous opponents are as strong as the Thunder, they at least comparable to the Spurs' previous opponents of the Minnesota Timberwolves with their top three guards all injured or the Portland Trail Blazers that came through the play-in, and the Knicks defeated their opponents (12-2, +19.4 scoring margin) more handily than the Spurs defeated their first two (8-3, +14.5 scoring margin). The Knicks are also healthier than the Spurs at key positions, with both De'Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper playing through injuries expected to last until the offseason. I still think the Spurs may win, but I'm expecting a tight series where the Knicks also have a strong chance to win and at least push the series to seven games. -- Snellings
Series leader in total rebounds: Victor Wembanyama (-140): This prop stood out given how this series lines up for Wemby to clean up on the glass. Mitchell Robinson could be limited by both injury and floor-spacing concerns. Karl-Anthony Towns faces his own concerns, such as foul trouble and the Spurs' ability to get bodies on him whenever the ball goes up. You can smile each time Wembanyama secures another board. -- McCormick
San Antonio Spurs win series 4-2 (+500): I'm not sure Wembanyama can be stopped at this point and I seriously doubt that Towns or Robinson are going to be able to do much to slow him down. I don't think Wemby is going to be denied and I kind of like them winning 4-1 (+380), but the odds are much better on a 4-2 finish (+500). This is the year of Wemby and as long as he stays healthy, the Spurs are going to win, hopefully in six games. -- Alexander
Series leader total points Jalen Brunson (+140): Like many others, I think the Spurs will win the series and betting on them to do so, with these odds, aren't a bargain. I do, however, think that Brunson is going to have to score a ton of points to keep the Knicks in these games. Don't look at what Brunson did in prior series versus the Cleveland and Philadelphia. Those weren't competitive series. This one should be, and Brunson may have to average 30 PPG to give his team a chance. -- Karabell