Published Jun 9, 9:16pm ET by
James Tillman - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Jun 9, 9:16pm ET
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Updated Jun 9, 9:16pm ET
Wednesday’s NBA Playoff action features the New York Knicks hosting the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Who has the edge in our Knicks vs Spurs pick?
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| New York Knicks | -2 (-108) |
| San Antonio Spurs | +2 (-112) |
New York was the underdog coming into this NBA Finals series before taking the first two games. But with a chance to push the Spurs to the brink, the host team came up short 115-111 in Game 3. The series now stands at 2-1 in favor of the Knicks.
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The Knicks got off to a shaky start. And as a result, they trailed by double-digits after the opening quarter. As it had done multiple times in the playoffs, this group fought back to the end. But this time, a valiant effort wasn't quite enough.
Jalen Brunson led five double-digit scorers with 32 points, five boards, and five dimes on 11-of-25 shooting. At the same time, the Spurs' defense made him work for everything he got. OG Anunoby poured in 28 points and collected five rebounds.
Two key contributors went silent, though. Karl‑Anthony Towns was held to 11 points after dropping 21 in Game 2, and Mikal Bridges managed only two points after a 20‑point performance. If New York expects to answer on Wednesday night, that can’t happen again.
After dropping Games 1 and 2, the Spurs faced a two-game deficit for the first time during their postseason run. With their backs against the proverbial wall, they played with much more urgency and physicality. And while New York battled back on multiple occasions, the Silver and Black prevailed, getting their first win of the series.
Any hopes San Antonio had of snatching a much-needed win centered around its generational star, Victor Wembanyama, and he delivered on cue, finishing with 32 points, eight rebounds, six assists, three blocks, and two steals. He is now the second-youngest player to post a 30-5-5 stat line in the NBA Finals.
“I’m sure Victor has numerous sources of motivation,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “I don’t think any of us are surprised or expect anything different than a strong performance.”
Although Wemby's effort was noteworthy, the Spurs also got solid contributions from a couple of other players. Stephon Castle added 23 points on 8-for-14 shooting. Julian Champagnie and De'Aaron Fox chipped in with 12 points each for a San Antonio squad that committed just eight turnovers.
With the series tightening, the question now becomes whether the Knicks can regain control in Game 4, or if the matchup shifts back to San Antonio, tied at two.
Despite seeing its win streak come to an end, New York enters this contest as a two-point favorite. Here's a look at what you need to know for both teams ahead of Game 4.
The Knicks have won 10 of the previous 15 meetings in this series, a stretch that includes a 7–1 mark across the last eight games at Madison Square Garden. It wasn’t a clean performance by any means, but New York remained within reach despite an uneven showing. With those trends in play, the Knicks are positioned to respond.
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Pick
New York Knicks (-2)
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