Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs are four wins away from an NBA title when they take on the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals.
The Spurs are seeking their sixth title and their first since 2014, while the Knicks haven’t won in the finals since earning their second title in 1973. They are 2-6 in NBA Finals, including a 4-1 loss to the Spurs in 1999.
Wembanyama is a solid favorite to win MVP honors, which would make the 22-year-old the second youngest Finals MVP ever, just ahead of former Spurs Kawhi Leonard and Tim Duncan.
NBA Finals Spurs vs. Knicks time
The San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks NBA Finals begins Wednesday, June 3, in San Antonio. Every game tips at 6:30 p.m. MT/7:30 p.m. CT on ABC. A potential Game 7 would be Friday, June 19.
Youngest NBA Finals MVP
Magic Johnson is the youngest NBA Finals MVP in history, winning the award in 1980 at 20 years and 276 days old. He remains the only rookie to ever win the award. San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama will be 22 years, 159 days when this series begins. If he wins MVP, which he is solidly favored to do, he would be the second youngest, immediately ahead of two other San Antonio Spurs.
Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers – 20 years, 276 days (1980)
Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs – 22 years, 351 days (2014)
Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs – 23 years, 61 days (1999)
Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers – 22 years, 290 days (1982)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee Bucks – 23 years, 331 days (1971)
Spurs vs. Knicks TV, where to watch
Every game will be televised on ABC and tips at 6:30 p.m. MT/7:30 p.m. CT.
NBA Finals ticket prices
Tickets for Game 1 in San Antonio range from $900 to $14,769 on Seat Geek. Tickets for Game 3 in New York range from $4,294 to $72,701.
San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks series
Game 1: Wednesday, June 3, Knicks at Spurs, 6:30 p.m. MT/7:30 p.m. CT, ABC
Game 2: Friday, June 5, Knicks at Spurs, 6:30 p.m. MT/7:30 p.m. CT, ABC
Game 3: Monday, June 8, Spurs at Knicks, 6:30 p.m. MT/7:30 p.m. CT, ABC
Game 4: Wednesday, June 10, Spurs at Knicks, 6:30 p.m. MT/7:30 p.m. CT, ABC
Game 5:* Saturday, June 13, Knicks at Spurs, 6:30 p.m. MT/7:30 p.m. CT, ABC
Game 6*: Tuesday, June 16, Spurs at Knicks, 6:30 p.m. MT/7:30 p.m. CT, ABC
Game 7*: Friday, June 19, Knicks at Spurs, 6:30 p.m. MT/7:30 p.m. CT, ABC
* If necessary
Spurs vs. Knicks odds
From BetMGM
Series: Spurs -210, Knicks +170.
MVP: Victor Wembanyama -190, Jalen Brunson +200, Karl-Anthony Towns +2200, OG Anuoby +5000, Stephon Castle +6000.
Game 1: Spurs -5 1/2, Over/under: 218.5. Moneyline: Spurs -200, Knicks +165
Spurs vs. Knicks predictions
The Arizona Republic: Knicks defeat Spurs in six games
Jeremy Cluff writes: “Yes, the Spurs are favored and battle-tested after beating the Thunder in seven games in the Western Conference Finals, but the Knicks are rested and on a roll, having won 11 straight playoff games. New York hasn’t played since May 25, but it has already fared just fine with big layoffs this postseason. Jalen Brunson and company will upset San Antonio and win their first NBA title since 1973.”
The Athletic: Knicks predicted to win series vs Spurs in six games
10 out of the site’s 26 writers predicted that New York will win in six games, the most popular pick.
James L. Edwards III writes: “The superb defense seen throughout these playoffs is able to stifle a young, streaky-shooting team that just had a bloodbath series in the Western Conference finals. The Spurs will make the Knicks offense look normal, which hasn’t been the case all postseason. However, the Knicks have the ability to do the same on the other end while still manufacturing enough points.”
Bleacher Report: Bet Spurs to win series vs Knicks
Zach Buckley writes: “Frankly, it just wouldn’t feel great to predict a team as hot as New York to suddenly go subzero and get ousted in five games or less. Especially when San Antonio’s shotmakers can go cold, and this offense can sputter. The Knicks have enough firepower to really punish the Spurs for those frigid spells. What they don’t have, though, is a great answer for Victor Wembanyama, who is pretty clearly staking his claim as the planet’s best player—some six-plus months ahead of his 23rd birthday. They also don’t really have a great counter for San Antonio throwing its long, physical defenders at 6’2″ offensive engine Jalen Brunson, either. This should be a competitive series, but San Antonio both poses more problems and has the better problem-solver.”
USA TODAY Sports: Five of seven writers picks Knicks to win NBA Finals
Three pick the Knicks to win in six games, while two are taking New York to win the NBA Finals in seven games. One writer is picking the Spurs to win in six games and another is taking San Antonio to win in seven games.
Northjersey.com: Knicks will win NBA Finals in six games vs Spurs
Albert Bainbridge IV writes: “The Knicks will undoubtedly face their toughest test yet in the Spurs, but New York has cleared everyone in their path and it doesn’t stop here, as the Knicks win their third Larry O’Brien trophy in franchise history, finally putting an end to their more than half a century title drought.”
Victor Wembanyama stats
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama averaged 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.08 blocks per game across 64 games in the regular season. In the playoffs he has averaged 23.2 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.5 blocks in 17 games and was the Western Conference Finals MVP.
The 22-year-old is 7-foot-4.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: NBA Finals San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks. Schedule, TV, odds
Reporting by Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
