NBA Betting News This Week | Spurs vs. Knicks NBA Finals, Odds, MVP Props and Best Bets | June 1, 2026

by Tony Reyes

Updated: June 2, 2026

The matchup is set. The Spurs are heading to the NBA Finals. So are the Knicks. Tip-off is June 3. This is the series the basketball world has been waiting for.

San Antonio did it the hard way. They went down 3-2 to the Thunder. Then they won Game 6 at home. Then they stole Game 7 in OKC. The defending champs are out. Wemby is going to the Finals in just his third season and his first year in the playoffs.

The Knicks haven’t lost in weeks. They swept their way through the East. Brunson and the Knicks are chasing the franchise’s first title since 1973. New York is the underdog here, but they’re dangerous.

The Spurs opened as -195 series favorites. The Knicks are +170. This page breaks down the full Finals odds, the MVP market, the best series props, and where the betting value sits. The Finals tip off June 3 in San Antonio.

There’s history here too. This is a rematch on two fronts. The Knicks beat the Spurs 124-113 in the NBA Cup championship back in December. That makes this the first NBA Finals to rematch an NBA Cup final. It’s also a rematch of the 1999 Finals. The Spurs won their first title that year, beating the Knicks in five games.

RUN IT BACK 🗣️

The Knicks and Spurs will face off for a trophy for the second time this season 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Ttn5Xat0BN

— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) May 31, 2026

Our NBA Playoffs page has series odds and matchup breakdowns for every round.

The biggest NBA betting storylines this week

The Spurs pulled off the comeback of the postseason. Down 3-2, they won two straight, including Game 7 on the road. The defending champion Thunder are out. It was a complete team effort in the clincher. Seven Spurs scored in double digits.

Other storylines moving the board:

• Wemby is in the Finals in year three. He had 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists in Game 7. He didn’t need to be a hero. The Spurs got 20 from Julian Champagnie on 6-of-10 from deep. Fox added 15. Castle had 16. Harper chipped in 12.
• OKC ran out of gas without Jalen Williams. He missed Game 7 entirely. Chet Holmgren struggled badly, attempting just two shots for four points. SGA was terrific with 35 points and 9 assists. He just didn’t get enough help from his supporting cast.
• The Knicks are chasing history. Their last title came in 1973. Brunson has carried them all postseason. Towns has been great. Now they are rested and get a shot at the Spurs. New York is the live underdog at +170.
• Wemby is the Finals MVP favorite at -185. That tells you everything. The market expects San Antonio to win and Wemby to lead the way. Brunson is the next-best option at +230. The rest of the field is a long shot.

THE SPURS ARE HEADED TO THE NBA FINALS TO TAKE ON THE KNICKS. pic.twitter.com/mDa70KKZz8

— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) May 31, 2026

NBA Finals series odds and game 1 lines

Before diving into the matchup itself, here’s a quick look at the latest series price and the opening Game 1 lines for Spurs vs. Knicks.

NBA Finals series odds

Game 1 betting lines

San Antonio is a 5-point favorite in Game 1. The total is 218.5. The moneyline matches the series price. That tells you the books see Game 1 as a strong indicator of how this whole thing plays out.

NBA Finals MVP odds

Wemby at -185 is the clear favorite. He’s the best player in the series. If the Spurs win, he almost certainly takes the hardware. Brunson at +230 only makes sense if the Knicks pull the upset. Towns and Castle are dart throws.

Best NBA Finals series props (courtesy BetOnline)

This is where the value lives in a Finals matchup. Here are the markets worth a look.

Number of games in the series

Series correct score

Series points leader

Series rebound leader

Series assist leader

Where we see the betting value

Here’s my read on this series. The Spurs win in five or six games. Their defense is the difference. Brunson is going to have a hard time against San Antonio’s length and speed.

The Spurs locked up SGA in the Western Conference Finals. Brunson is smaller and not the scorer SGA is. If they slowed down the MVP, they can slow down Brunson. That’s the whole series in a sentence.

Fox to lead the series in assists at +500 is my favorite value play. He’s the primary playmaker for a Spurs team that should win. That’s a great price for a starting point guard on the favorite.

Josh Hart to lead the series in rebounds at +1800 is the longshot I like. Hart crashes the glass like a big man. If he plays heavy minutes, that number offers real value against Wemby and Towns.

Points leader is tougher to call. I’d lean Wemby at -190 if forced to pick. He’s the most complete scorer in the series. But that’s a short price. The series correct score at Spurs 4-1 or 4-2 offers better value if you believe in San Antonio.

For a deeper look at who’s favored in June, visit our NBA Finals hub.

Spurs vs. Knicks: the matchup breakdown

This is a classic offense versus defense Finals. The Knicks have the firepower. The Spurs have the size and the defense. Something has to give.

The most recent head-to-head favors New York. The Knicks won the NBA Cup final 124-113 in December. That’s a useful data point, but it’s six months old. Both teams look different now. Wemby has leveled up. The Spurs are deeper. Don’t lean too hard on that result.

San Antonio‘s edge is Wemby. He changes everything on defense. He blocks shots, alters drives, and cleans the glass. The Knicks don’t have anyone who can match his impact. Guarding him is New York’s biggest puzzle.

The Towns question is fascinating. Mike Brown has been hiding Towns on defense all playoffs. The Knicks let everyone lese switch while keeping Towns on the weakest offensive threat. That works against most teams. Wemby is not most teams.

So what does New York do? They could put Towns on Wemby and live with the size mismatch. Or they could go-double big with Towns and Mitchell Robinson. Robinson broke his right pinkie and needed surgery. There’s hope he’ll be playing through it in this series. His rim protection could be key against Wemby.

#Knicks fans are breathing a sigh of relief over reports that center Mitchell Robinson expects to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals next week despite a pinkie finger injury. @OvermyerTV reports. https://t.co/zVzUkfCGw9

— CBS New York (@CBSNewYork) May 30, 2026

New York’s path is Brunson getting hot and the role players hitting shots. Bridges, Anunoby, and Hart need to step up. If the Knicks shoot well from deep, they can steal games. If they go cold, the Spurs’ defense buries them.

Rest favors the Knicks here. New York hasn’t played since sweeping the Cavs on May 25. The Spurs just grinded out a Game 7 in OKC on Thursday. That’s a real edge for New York heading into Game 1. Fresh legs matter in a Finals opener.

Betting trends we’re watching this week

Defense travels in the Finals. The Spurs are the best defensive team left. They shut down the league MVP in the last round. Lean unders in this series. The 218.5 Game 1 total feels high for two strong defensive teams.

Sharp money is on the Spurs. They’ve been the sharp side all postseason. The Game 7 win in OKC confirmed it. Wemby is the X-factor no other team can match. Public money is split with some backing the Knicks underdog price.

Home teams have struggled to cover in these playoffs. But the Spurs at home in Game 1 is a strong spot. They’re rested, motivated, and defending their building. The 5-point line looks fair to slightly low if Wemby dominates.

What could move NBA finals odds this week

Game 1 sets the tone. If the Spurs win comfortably, the series price could push toward -250 or shorter. If the Knicks steal Game 1 in San Antonio, the market flips fast. New York would become a live series threat.

Injury reports matter more than ever now. Any tweek to Wemby, Brunson, Fox, or Towns could swing the entire market. Watch the status updates before Game 1. Both teams are relatively healthy heading in.

Watch the Finals MVP market move with each game. If Wemby dominates Game 1, his -185 price gets even shorter. If Brunson goes off and the Knicks win, his +230 number drops quickly. live MVP betting could offer value. It’s difficult for me to see the Knicks winning this series and Brunson not winning MVP, same with Wemby.

Previous NBA betting news updates

• [June 1, 2026]: Spurs win Game 7 in OKC to reach the Finals. Wemby leads a balanced effort. SGA’s 35 not enough. Spurs open as –195 Finals favorites over the Knicks.
• [May 27, 2026]: Knicks sweep Cavs to advance to the Finals. OKC takes 3-2 lead over Spurs after Game 5 win. SGA goes 16-17 from the line. Mazzula wins Coach of the Year.
• [May 18, 2026]: Spurs steal Game 1 of WCF in double overtime. Wemby drops 41-24. Spurs jump from +400 to +140. Cavs beat Pistons in 7. Knicks-Cavs Game 1 tonight.
• [May 11, 2026]: Thunder sweep Lakers 4-0. Knicks sweep 76ers 4-0. Spurs-Wolves and Pistons-Cavs both tied 2-2. Wemby was ejected from Game 4.
• [May 5, 2026]: Round 1 ends. 76ers stun Celtics in seven. Pistons survive Magic. Round 2 Game 1: Knicks blowout Philly, Wolves stun Spurs, Thunder roll Lakers 108-90, Pistons beat Cavs 111-101.

For full NBA odds coverage all season long, check our NBA betting page.