Key NBA Finals Matchup: Where the Odds Stand Before Game 5

The New York Knicks are one win away from ending their 53-year championship drought, but the San Antonio Spurs aren't going down quietly. Game 4 saw one of the most dramatic comebacks in Finals history, with the Knicks overcoming a 29-point deficit in the final minutes. OG Anunoby's block on De'Aaron Fox and the putback sealed the win, proving New York's resilience under pressure. Yet, the Spurs have shown they can rise to the occasion at home, even if they lost the first two games in San Antonio. Oddsmakers currently favor the Knicks to close out the series, with New York listed as a -500 favorite overall. However, the "correct score" market suggests a six-game series (+145 odds), meaning many expect another tight battle. Despite the Knicks' strong playoff run, the Spurs' first-quarter dominance is hard to ignore. San Antonio has outscored New York by 47 points in the opening frame across four games, setting an aggressive tone early. If history repeats, the Spurs might keep this game close in the first 12 minutes.Jalen Brunson remains a key player for the Knicks, though his three-point shooting has been inconsistent in these playoffs. He struggled in the Eastern Conference Finals but bounced back in the Finals so far. The Spurs will try to limit his paint touches, forcing him to rely on his jumper—where he's taken 5 to 17 threes per game in this series. A prop bet betting he hits over 2. 5 three-pointers (+121) seems like a smart play, especially with the Knicks needing to control the pace against San Antonio's young big man, Victor Wembanyama. The road team has surprisingly won all four games in this series, giving the Knicks an edge. Yet, the Spurs' efficiency early in games and their ability to stay close in tight contests makes them dangerous at home. The Knicks' historic comebacks suggest they thrive under pressure, but San Antonio has shown they can compete in close games. Betting on the Spurs to cover the +5. 5 spread would require a strong outing, something they haven't consistently done in this series.