Knicks look to take a 3-1 Finals lead over the Spurs as bettors weigh Brunson props, Wembanyama's impact and a tight spread
No President Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden for tonight’s Game 4 of the NBA Final between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs, a needless distraction, if you listen to sports commentators like Stephen A. Smith.
Multiple security checkpoints outside the arena blocked people from getting in for Game 3 when the President attended, causing long lineups and delays. Watch parties outside MSG were moved.
Trump was either booed because of politics during the National Anthem Monday or people were expressing their frustration at the delays, it depends on what news platform you subscribe to. The Knicks were riding a 13-game playoff streak going into Game 3, and no question the positive karma with that got knocked off the axis.
All hands-on deck for tonight – no injuries to report as of 10:15 a.m. EST today.
BEST BETS
San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks, tonight, 8:30 p.m. EST, Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Knicks lead best-of-seven series 2-1
In NBA betting on Betway, the Knicks are -130 moneyline favourites, while the Spurs are +110. The Knicks are -2.5 on the spread (-105), with the Spurs +2.5 (-115). The total is 216.5, with both the Over and Under priced at -110.
Knicks to Win (-130)
Sportsbooks expect a competitive, relatively low-scoring game, with the Knicks slightly favored. No distractions tonight, so the focus is 100% on the Knicks gaining a strangehold on the series.
That +2.5 suggests more betting interest on the Spurs keeping the game close, which is a good call, looking at the game Spurs’ star forward Victor Wembanyama had in San Antonio’s 115-111 win. That was the first Knicks’ loss in 46 days.
Wemby finished with 32 points in 39 minutes played, on 11-18 shooting, 2-4 from three-point range, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals. Remember the turnover late in Game 2, that likely cost the Spurs a win there? Distant memory.
Still, I am leaning on a full-on Knicks bounce back tonight. Jalen Brunson and the Knicks’ defence should bounce back after Game 3. The Knicks are at home and lead the series, but the young Spurs have earned respect. This is going to be another tight, competitive game, that will likely boil down to the last few possessions.
Under 216.5 Points
This is a strong lean for me, since it will be another defence-first, playoff-style game.
Those first two games in San Antonio were lower scoring – both Knicks wins, 105-95, and 105-104. While Game 3 Monday night jumped to 226 total points, that was more of an outlier, dominated more by some Knicks turnovers (13).
Jalen Brunson 30+ Points (+130)
You could also go 25+ (-210), but I am looking at the 32 points in Game 3 for Brunson, who has topped 30 points in two of the first three games of the NBA Final.
The Knicks’ offence consistently runs through him, and he’s a challenge for the Spurs to keep out of the paint.
I am also looking at Knicks centre Karl-Anthony Towns to score 15+ points (-210). If you’re looking for plus money, Towns to score 20+ points is available at +150.
Towns was quiet Monday night, just 11 points, for a guy who has averaged 16.9 points per game in the playoffs, and 20.1 PPG during the regular season.
Also, Betway has Wemby Over 39.5 points and rebounds at -115. He hit a 40 combo Monday night.
