The 2025 NBA Cup wraps up on Tuesday evening in Las Vegas, where it all comes down to the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks. Is it a possible NBA Finals preview? Since Oklahoma City failed to reach the title game, maybe not. Then again, maybe it is. Both teams are loaded with talent and head into Tuesday’s contest with two 18-7 regular season records.
Let’s get into my predictions for Spurs vs. Knicks.
San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks odds
Money line: Spurs +116 / Knicks -136
Spread: Spurs +2.5 (-110) / Knicks -2.5 (-110)
Total: Over 229.5 (-110) / Under 229.5 (-110)
San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks best bet #1: Spurs +2.5 (-110)
You can’t get more momentum than San Antonio right now. After all, they just stunned Oklahoma City (24-1) with a 111-109 upset during Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinal game. Two days off should give Spurs the right balance of intensity and rest. You don’t want to go straight into another game following a monumental high like a win over the Thunder, but 72 hours between contests means a slump should be avoided. The most important thing is that Victor Wembanyama is back. The former No. 1 overall pick missed 12 games with a calf injury, but returned against OKC and looked like his normal self.
Wembanyama has joined the ranks of players who have really stepped up in his absence, compiling a 9-3 record in those 12 games. That will help San Antonio in the long run — and maybe in the short term, too. A surprising eight players on the roster are averaging in double figures, including Wembanyama (25.8 ppg) and De’Aaron Fox (23.9 ppg). Devin Vassell (15.7 ppg) has scored at least 23 points in two of his last four games. Stephon Castle (18.4 ppg) scored 30 and 22 points in the NBA Cup quarters and semis, respectively.
San Antonio’s support is by no means New York’s demise. After all, there is nothing bad to say about the Knicks. If you can find one potential flaw, it’s that coach Mike Brown’s team might be vulnerable to tough competition. The last four back-to-backs have all come against teams that finished in the top six of the Eastern competitions. Now the Knicks are running on arguably the second-best team in the West.
San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks betting best prop player: Victor Wembanyama Over 25.5 points + assists (-110)
Wembanyama came off the bench when he returned on Saturday and scored 22 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in just 21 minutes. While the 7’4″ Frenchman may not reach his usual minutes average on Tuesday, he should log more than 21 minutes. After all, he already has a game under his belt – and he’s got two days off. Besides, this is the NBA Cup. There’s no reason to hold back.
This season, Wembanyama is averaging 29.6 points + assists per game. He recorded at least four dimes in four of his last five contests before the injury — a stretch that included a 10-assist performance against Golden State on Nov. 12. With seven of his teammates averaging double figures in the scoring department, Wembanyama has plenty of options when it comes to bringing the basketball. It should also be noted that New York is in the middle of the NBA in assists per field goal made (63.5 percent). His 65.8 percent mark over the past three outings would be the third-highest of the season.
