Best NBA Predictions Today: NBA Finals Game 1 and Series Predictions

The journey to get here has been nothing short of compelling, but basketball fans are surely excited that the NBA Finals have arrived. For both the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, getting to the finals is a great accomplishment. The Knicks haven’t been to the finals since 1999, when they lost to the Spurs. But they’ve spent the entire decade slowly getting better and building to this opportunity.

Meanwhile, the Spurs broke a six-year playoff drought this season, and their young, talented roster has already reached the finals, hoping to claim San Antonio’s first title since 2014. Keep reading to get our best pick for Game 1, as well as some series bets that are worth considering.

Best NBA Predictions for Wednesday, June 3

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Spurs Beat Knicks by 4.5 in Game 1 (No, 50%)

The Spurs are favored to win the series and win Game 1, and with good reason. They just knocked off the defending champion Thunder despite trailing both 2-1 and 3-2. This young San Antonio showed maturity beyond their years to win that series. On top of that, Victor Wembanyama is an absolute beast and the biggest reason why the Spurs looked destined to win multiple championships over the next decade, perhaps starting this year.

However, one has to wonder if such a young team can come down from the emotional high of winning the Western Conference Finals and be prepared for Game 1 against the Knicks. Fatigue could also become a factor against the Knicks, who are fresh and rested. Granted, New York could be a little rusty, but the Knicks had the same concern in the Eastern Conference Finals and only needed a half to get going. With the Knicks riding an 11-game winning streak and the Spurs already losing three games as a home favorite during the playoffs, taking New York and the points is the wise play in Game 1.

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Knicks vs Spurs Over 217.5 Total Points in Game 1 (No, 49%)

Taking the under has been something of a sucker’s bet during the playoffs. The Spurs have hit the over in 10 of their last 13 games, as neither defense got its act together against Oklahoma City. Likewise, the Knicks have hit the over in eight of their last 12 games, a streak that largely coincides with their 11-game winning streak, which can’t be a coincidence.

That being said, these teams are from different conferences, so they don’t see each other a lot. As a result, Game 1 could require more of a feeling-out period than an intra-conference playoff series. Plus, between San Antonio’s fatigue and New York’s potential rust, it makes sense for at least one of these teams to be a little sluggish offensively. The kicker is that the Spurs are 21-28 O/U at home this season, while the Knicks are 22-26 O/U on the road, so the trends favor the under for Game 1.

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Jalen Brunson to Score 40+ Points in Playoff Game (Yes, 33%)

This is our favorite pre-series prop bet. Of course, Brunson has never played in the NBA Finals before. But everything about his time with the Knicks makes us think that at some point, he’s going to have a game that he completely takes over. In each series during the playoffs, Brunson has had one game in which he’s scored 35 points, so it’s not far-fetched that he could have a similar game against the Spurs, but just take things a little further and get to 40.

In his career, Brunson has scored at least 40 points on 31 occasions, including nine playoff games. Two years ago, he had a run of four consecutive 40-point games during the playoffs. With the help around him, Brunson doesn’t have to carry the Knicks the way he used to. But if this game goes six or seven games, there will come a time when he feels compelled to put the team on his back, leading to a 40-point game.

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Knicks to Win NBA Championship (Yes, 37%)

As usual, the value is with the underdog, and we’re going to take it. Admittedly, the Spurs are the safer pick because they have Wembanyama, who will be the best player on the floor. However, the Knicks have the type of physical big men who can make things tough for him. They also have outside shooters and mid-range threats who can neutralize Wembanyama’s defensive impact if he stays close to the basket as a rim protector.

The extra rest the Knicks have had in recent weeks could also sway things in New York’s favor. With back-to-back sweeps, the Knicks are as well-rested as virtually any team in NBA Finals history. Meanwhile, the Spurs have played two long and exhausting series in a row. San Antonio’s youth and inexperience could also work against them. While the Spurs are young and have a promising future, the Knicks are full of veterans who are hungry to win a championship, and in the end, that will put them over the top.

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