Best NBA Predictions Today: Will the Knicks Extend Their Winning Streak in Game 2?

As has become common during the NBA playoffs, the narrative of the NBA Finals has changed after just one game. The Spurs entered the series as the favorite, but the Knicks changed that by winning Game 1 on the road. New York is now the betting favorite for the series, heading into Friday’s Game 2 with a 12-game winning streak. What does that mean for Game 2? Keep reading to get our predictions for Friday’s game.

With momentum shifting rapidly, the updated NBA Championship odds now reflect New York's sudden surge as the team to beat.

Best NBA Predictions for Friday, June 5

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Spurs Beat Knicks by 6.5 in Game 2 (No, 52%)

The Knicks are bigger underdogs in Game 2 than they were in Game 1. In fairness, the Spurs have responded well to adversity during the playoffs. They are 5-1 straight up and 5-1 against the spread coming off a loss during the postseason. For the season, San Antonio is 19-8 against the spread after a loss, making the Spurs the best team in the NBA at bouncing back. Surely, they will have a positive response to their Game 1 loss, especially at home.

But it’s hard to swallow 6.5 points when the underdog has won 12 games in a row. Similar to the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks were a little rusty early in Game 1, trailing at halftime. But they found their rhythm and dominated the second half of Wednesday’s game. Even if the Spurs play better in Game 2, the Knicks should be able to carry over their strong play from the second half of Game 1. While the Spurs might be able to eke out a win, taking New York and the points is the safer choice.

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Knicks Over 105.5 Total Points in Game 2 (No, 60%)

If the Knicks are able to win Game 2, they’ll need another strong defensive effort to make it happen. After Jalen Brunson dropped 30 points on the Spurs in Game 1, San Antonio will have a defensive adjustment that forces the ball out of his hands. That will require other players to step up offensively. If the Knicks are slow to adjust, they could have a hard time topping the 105 points they scored in Game 1.

It’s also worth noting that in all three of their playoff series, the Knicks have scored fewer points in Game 2 than they did in Game 1. They’ve been fast starters in every series, only to take a slight step back in Game 2. That doesn’t mean New York can’t find a way to win Game 2. But we’re going to bet on that trend continuing to the NBA Finals, meaning the Knicks will be held to a lower point total on Friday than they scored on Wednesday.

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Josh Hart 10+ Rebounds in Game 2 (Yes, 43%)

Based on his performance in Game 1, 10 rebounds might be underestimating Hart despite this bet having lucrative odds. Hart grabbed 15 rebounds in just 27 minutes of action in Game 1, with 13 of those boards coming on the defensive end. He played fewer minutes than every other New York starter, yet he out-rebounded everyone, including Karl-Anthony Towns and Victor Wembanyama.

Hart scored just three points on only five shots, sacrificing his offense to focus on the boards. Clearly, that was a part of New York’s game plan, with the hope that Hart could help keep Wembanyama hurting them with offensive rebounds. Since it worked so well, there’s no reason to get away from that strategy in Game 2. Hart is the ultimate team player, so if that’s what the Knicks need from him, he’ll do it, which is why this feels like such a valuable player prop.

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Julian Champagnie 10+ Points in Game 2 (Yes, 62%)

San Antonio’s supporting cast has been difficult to project during the playoffs, but we’re going to bet on Champagnie having a strong follow-up to his Game 1 performance. He finished Wednesday’s game with 16 points, knocking down five of his 10 perimeter shots. Champagnie is averaging 11.1 points per game during the playoffs, reaching double digits in seven of his last nine games.

Defensively, the Knicks are understandably focused on Wembanyama. Naturally, that has helped open up shooting opportunities for Champagnie, which should continue to be the case in Game 2. Champagnie has attempted at least five three-pointers in 15 straight games, and he should have no problem surpassing that total by a wide margin on Friday. Since he’s shooting over 40% from three-point range during the playoffs, as long as Champagnie keeps shooting, reaching the 10-point threshold shouldn’t be a problem.

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