The 2026 NBA Finals are finally set: the New York Knicks face the San Antonio Spurs, a rematch of their meeting way back in 1999.
Back in October, we believed another dynasty was forming, but these playoffs have proven that a run like Golden State’s is harder than it looks. Can the Spurs or Knicks bring back the conversation?
The best-of-seven series begins Wednesday, June 3, at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC. Bovada has every major market live across the series, from championship futures and series bets to game lines, player props, and live betting opportunities.
The Spurs return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014 behind the generational talent of Victor Wembanyama. The Knicks are back on the league’s biggest stage for the first time since 1999, hoping to bring New York its first championship since 1973.
With a series that can stretch to seven games, there are plenty of betting opportunities to be had. To get you up to speed, we provide this NBA betting preview and odds.
View the latest NBA odds at Bovada!
NBA Finals Betting Preview and Odds: How the Series Works
The NBA Finals are a best-of-seven series between the champions of the Eastern and Western Conferences. The first team to four games is crowned NBA champion.
The series follows a 2-2-1-1-1 format. The team with the better regular-season record hosts Games 1, 2, 5, and 7, while the other team hosts Games 3, 4, and 6. San Antonio earned home-court advantage and will host the opening two games of the series.
The 2026 Finals schedule begins on June 3 and continues on June 5, June 8, and June 10 before shifting to Games 5, 6, and 7, if necessary. For the first time since 1970, the NBA Finals will have no Sunday games as the league shifts its schedule due to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
As in the regular season, if a game is tied after 48 minutes, teams play five-minute overtime periods until a winner is determined. There have been two triple-overtime games in NBA Finals history: 1953 between the Minneapolis Lakers and the Knicks, and 1976 between the Boston Celtics and the Phoenix Suns.
The NBA has always been a game about momentum, and a multi-game series will provide plenty of opportunities for player props and live odds.
New York Knicks: Their Case for the Championship
The New York Knicks arrive in the Finals with one of the most impressive playoff runs in franchise history. New York swept the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round, then followed it with another sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals to secure the franchise’s first Finals appearance since 1999.
Guard Jalen Brunson has once again proven he is built for this stage. The Knicks’ offense runs through his scoring, control, and late-game shot creation, while center Karl-Anthony Towns gives New York a frontcourt weapon who can stretch San Antonio’s defense away from the rim.
New York’s identity is no mystery. The Knicks are physical, relentless on the glass, and comfortable turning games into half-court battles. They don’t need things to look pretty – they have the best playoff average in points against and were top five in the regular season. They need the game to slow down so Brunson can dictate the closing minutes.
New York’s identity is no mystery. The Knicks are physical, relentless on the glass, and comfortable turning games into half-court battles. They don’t need things to look pretty—they have the best playoff average in points allowed and were top five in the regular season. They need the game to slow down so Brunson can dictate the closing minutes.
From a betting perspective, New York’s appeal comes from toughness and form. The Knicks enter the Finals unbeaten through the last two rounds, and that kind of clean playoff momentum makes them a dangerous underdog against a younger Spurs team.
San Antonio Spurs: Their Case for the Championship
The San Antonio Spurs return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014 under head coach Mitch Johnson. After surviving a grueling Western Conference playoff bracket, the Spurs enter the Finals with momentum and the league’s most unique player.
Victor Wembanyama has transformed San Antonio into a championship contender faster than almost anyone expected. The 7-foot-4 superstar impacts every possession as a scorer, rebounder, shot blocker, and playmaker. His combination of size, skill, and versatility has made him one of the most difficult players in basketball to prepare for.
San Antonio’s route to the Finals concluded with a dramatic seven-game victory over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. OKC entered the playoffs as the clear favorite with the back-to-back MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but Wembanyama’s elite shot-blocking ability changed the way SGA and his teammates attacked the rim.
While Wembanyama is the headliner, the Spurs have benefited from strong contributions across the roster. De’Aaron Fox gives San Antonio a proven playoff creator who can pressure defenses off the dribble, Stephon Castle has emerged as a reliable two-way player throughout the postseason, and rookie Dylan Harper has added another unexpected playmaker. Combined with their defensive versatility and ball movement, that depth has helped turn San Antonio into one of the NBA’s most complete teams.
For bettors, San Antonio’s biggest advantage may be home court and star power. Wemby is the best player in the world and is determined to join Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, and Tim Duncan as one of the youngest stars to win a title.
NBA Finals Betting: Series and Game Markets
While the Knicks have a rabid fanbase that gets a lot of media attention, when it comes to money, Bovada NBA analyst Dawid Krane says the public is siding with the team that has the 7-foot-4 alien.
“The betting action so far looks fairly one-sided,” Krane explained. “Early Game 1 data shows the Spurs are currently five-point favorites, taking 58% of spread wagers, while the Knicks are attracting only 23% of the moneyline wagers.”
Along with always-popular series-winner wagers before Game 1, Bovada offers correct series-score odds if bettors know exactly which team and which game will end the series. Interestingly enough, this is where the odds start to balance out.
“Spurs in 7 is the shortest price at around +320, followed by Spurs in 5 +340,” Krane said. “But Spurs in 6 and Knicks in 6 are both priced at +500. If you like the Knicks upset, Knicks in 6 looks like the most likely outcome.”
Once we’re close to tipoff, the focus goes to the spread, moneyline, and total. All game odds are available before and during every game, along with endless player props centered around points, rebounds, assists, three-pointers, and other stats.
When it comes to props and futures, Krane says the Finals MVP award is a two-horse race, with one clear leader.
“Wembanyama is the favorite around -200, with Jalen Brunson next at +220,” Krane said. “Karl-Anthony Towns is the first real outsider at +2200, but unless the Knicks win with a very balanced scoring profile, Brunson is the obvious New York candidate.”
It’s understandable why the money is on Wemby; he’s 7 feet 4 inches, can score off the dribble and on the perimeter, and can block shots without leaving his feet. However, the Knicks have the best point guard in basketball and a center capable of keeping Wembenyama on the perimeter. The Spurs split their previous two games with the Knicks, winning by a bucket on January 1st, 2026, then losing by 25 on March 1st.
“The market says Spurs. The betting public says Spurs. But the series likely comes down to whether New York’s red-hot form can continue despite Wembanyama’s defensive gravity,” Krane concluded.
“Either way, it looks to be an exciting conclusion to a memorable NBA season.”
FAQ
When do the NBA Finals start?
The 2026 NBA Finals begin on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. Game 1 tips off at 8:30 PM ET on ABC from San Antonio.
When is Game 7 of the NBA Finals?
If the series requires all seven games, Game 7 is scheduled for Friday, June 19, 2026, at 8:30 PM ET. The game would be played in San Antonio because the Spurs hold home-court advantage.
Who won the NBA Finals?
The Oklahoma City Thunder are the 2025 NBA champions. Defeating the Indiana Pacers in seven games in the 2025 NBA Finals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was Finals MVP.
How many games are in the NBA Finals?
The NBA Finals are a best-of-seven series. The first team to win four games becomes the NBA champion.
How to watch the NBA Finals?
All 2026 NBA Finals games air on ABC at 8:30 PM ET. Fans can also stream the games through the ESPN app.
What is the NBA Finals?
The NBA Finals is the league’s annual championship series between the Eastern Conference champion and the Western Conference champion. First held in 1947, it remains the pinnacle of professional basketball.
The Finals use a best-of-seven format, with the winner receiving the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. The Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Award is presented to the player who has the greatest impact on the series. The Boston Celtics hold the record for most championships with 18, while the Oklahoma City Thunder are the 2025 champions.
For additional basketball coverage, futures analysis, and playoff betting content, visit our NBA hub.
Last Year’s NBA Finals: 2025 Results
The 2025 NBA Finals delivered one of the most dramatic championship series in recent memory. The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers 4-3, clinching the title with a 103-91 victory in Game 7 at Paycom Center on June 22.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander earned Finals MVP after averaging 30.3 points per game during the series and cemented Game 7 with 29 points and 12 assists. The defining storyline came when Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles tendon during the opening quarter of Game 7.
2025 NBA Finals: Game-by-Game Results
Oklahoma City Thunder defeated Indiana Pacers 4-3 | Games played June 4-22, 2025
| Game | Away | Home | Score | Result |
| G1 | Indiana Pacers | Oklahoma City Thunder | 111-110 | Pacers |
| G2 | Indiana Pacers | Oklahoma City Thunder | 123-107 | Thunder |
| G3 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Indiana Pacers | 116-107 | Pacers |
| G4 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Indiana Pacers | 111-104 | Thunder |
| G5 | Indiana Pacers | Oklahoma City Thunder | 120-109 | Thunder |
| G6 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Indiana Pacers | 108-91 | Pacers |
| G7 | Indiana Pacers | Oklahoma City Thunder | 103-91 | Thunder/Win Series |
Finals MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC). 29 pts, 12 ast in Game 7. Series averages: 30.3 PPG / 4.6 RPG / 5.6 APG.
Source: NBA.com official results.