Knicks vs. Spurs Game 1 Props: Three Best Bets for the NBA Finals

I want to start by giving the San Antonio Spurs a massive thank you. Not only did they beat a very unlikeable Thunder squad, but they also prevented them from facing the Knicks in what would have been the least likable Finals matchup in NBA history.

Many thought OKC was the best team out of the West, but Wemby and the rest of the young guns proved they’re ready to compete right now. The Knicks have plenty of rest after winning their last 11 games in the playoffs and have looked like a juggernaut running through the East.

Pressure has been high, but it will only get higher in the Finals. Here are some players outperforming their stats in the playoffs.

Jalen Brunson o24.5 Points

This is the "keep it simple, stupid" prop for game 1. Brunson has proven time and again that he’s one of the clutchest playoff performers of all time. This season has been no different as he is averaging 26.9 points in the playoffs, a point above his season total.

Brunson has also gone over 24.5 points in nine out of his first fourteen playoff appearances this year and twelve out of eighteen appearances last year in the playoffs. If the Knicks want to start this series off right, they’re going to need to lean on their captain, so don’t overthink it and take his over.

O.G. Anunoby o5.5 Rebounds

Everyone knows Brunson is the leader, but this Knicks squad goes as far as Anunoby takes them. Not only will he have to guard Victor Wembanyama frequently on the perimeter, but that also means he’s going to have to battle with Wemby in the paint for rebounds as well.

Despite missing two games with injury against the Sixers, Anunoby still managed to grab over 5.5 rebounds in eight of the Knicks twelve playoff games so far. He was great in the regular season, but has been an absolute playoff riser for the Knicks. He’s going to have to rise to another level, but I think he will be playing a ton of minutes, and this is the lowest we will see this line in the series.

Stephon Castle o6.5 Assists

Turnovers have been a bit of a problem recently for Stephon Castle, but he’s had to become a primary ball handler for a Spurs team that’s dealt with on-and-off injuries to De’Aaron Fox in their last series. Despite the turnovers, he still managed to record at least 6 assists in every game of the Western Conference Finals, and 7+ in four of the seven games.

Castle really upped his minutes in the WCF, and I think that carries over to what will be a tightly contested series.

I love these three props, and they can be parlayed together at +382 as well. Both teams have had exciting game ones, and hopefully, we will see one on Wednesday as well.