The New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs will meet in the 2026 NBA Finals. Game 1 is set for 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on ABC.
San Antonio is a 4.5-point NBA betting favorite at home in the series opener. Get my Knicks vs. Spurs prediction before Wednesday’s showdown:
Knicks vs. Spurs Prediction: Game 1 on June 3
- Knicks +2.5 first-half spread (-105)
For my Knicks vs. Spurs Game 1 prediction, I like backing the fresher team in the first half. New York’s first-half spread is sitting at +2.5 with a -105 vig at the BetMGM online sportsbook.
Starting with the obvious, the Knicks should be well rested ahead of Wednesday’s battle with the Spurs.
It will have been nine days since New York’s last matchup by the time it takes the floor for Game 1. The Knicks have recorded consecutive four-game sweeps entering the NBA Finals.
The Spurs, meanwhile, are coming off a seven-game war with the defending champions. They defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 on Saturday, giving them a few days to recharge before welcoming the Knicks to town.
Even if fatigue weren’t a factor, the Knicks have demonstrated their ability to get off to fast starts this postseason. They are 12-2 with a net rating of +22.7 in the first half of games this postseason. No other team in this year’s playoff field has better than a +8.1 first-half net rating.
With a full game betting line of +4.5, it does feel like the Knicks are being a tad undervalued in this matchup. They haven’t lost since April 23, carrying an 11-game win streak into their first trip to the NBA Finals since 1999.
New York should have plenty of confidence entering Wednesday’s showdown, which is why I’m banking on a fast start from the visitors.
Prediction: Knicks +2.5 first-half spread (-105)
Knicks vs. Spurs Odds for Game 1
- Knicks spread: +4.5
- Spurs spread: -4.5
- Total: 218.5
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