Spurs -210 NBA Finals favourites as Knicks get +4.5 in Game 1

The San Antonio Spurs open the 2026 NBA Finals as -210 series favourites against the New York Knicks, with Game 1 tipping off Wednesday, June 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET in San Antonio. Victor Wembanyama’s side reached its first Finals by knocking out the back-to-back-chasing Thunder in Game 7, while the Knicks return to the championship round for the first time since their 1999 loss to these same Spurs. Here is who the market favours and which props carry value.

Why are the Spurs favoured to win the series?

San Antonio carries home court on the strength of a 62-20 regular season, four wins clear of New York’s 53-29 mark. The -210 series price — American odds, where a $210 stake returns $100 profit — implies a 67.7% chance the Spurs lift the trophy, against 36.4% for the Knicks at +175. Wembanyama, the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year and Western Conference Finals MVP, averaged 23.2 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.5 blocks across 17 postseason games.

What gives the Knicks a path?

New York arrives in ominous form, having stormed through the East with 11 straight wins by an average margin of 23.8 points. The Knicks shot a league-best 40.0% from three across 14 playoff games while holding opponents to an NBA-best 30.5% from deep — the recipe needed to stress a Spurs offence leaning heavily on Wembanyama. Karl-Anthony Towns has been scorching, hitting 48.9% of his threes in the postseason at 3.2 makes per game, pulling Wembanyama from the rim.

“The Knicks have more of a chance than I thought they did a few weeks ago, but I’m still picking San Antonio in this series,” one Western Conference scout told ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. (ESPN)

Form, rest, and the rust question

The standout wrinkle is rest: New York has had 10 full days off, while San Antonio had just three after a draining Game 7. Long layoffs cut both ways — fresher legs, but rusty rhythm early. With the Spurs at home and the Knicks shaking off rust, Game 1 sets up tighter than the lopsided series number implies.

Picks & Predictions

Favourite: San Antonio Spurs at -210 series moneyline (American) / 1.48 (decimal) on bet365; the Knicks come back at +175 / 2.75. For Game 1, ESPN priced the Spurs at -4.5 (-115), total 218.5. Home record and rim protection underpin the chalk.

Predicted result: Spurs 107, Knicks 101 — San Antonio covers -4.5, total stays under 218.5. Expect a grinding opener as New York shakes off a 10-day layoff against the league’s premier shot-blocker.

Prop bets worth a look:

• Victor Wembanyama over 3.5 blocks — he averaged 3.5 per game through 17 playoff outings, and the Knicks funnel drives to the rim (ESPN).
• Karl-Anthony Towns over 2.5 threes made — Towns is at 48.9% from deep this postseason on 3.2 makes per game (covers.com).
• Under 218.5 in Game 1 — both sides rank top-three in playoff three-point defence, and Finals openers lean low-scoring.

What to fade: Knicks +1.5 games at -130. Public money is piling onto New York’s first Finals since 1999, but laying juice on a road underdog to keep the series close offers little value when San Antonio holds home court in any Game 5 and 7.

Odds correct as of June 1, 2026. Informational only — not financial or betting advice. 18+ / 21+ depending on jurisdiction. See Responsible Gambling notice below.

FAQ

Q: When and where is Game 1?
A: Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 8:30 p.m. ET in San Antonio, on ABC.

Q: Who is favoured to win the 2026 NBA Finals?
A: The Spurs opened -210 series favourites, with the Knicks at +175 on bet365.

Q: Why do the Spurs have home court?
A: San Antonio finished 62-20, four games better than New York’s 53-29 mark.

See our coverage of the Knicks’ run to the Finals and the Spurs’ path past Oklahoma City.

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