- The Knicks are five point underdogs on the road in Game 1 of their first Finals appearance since 1999, when they lost to the Spurs.
- The last ten Game 1s of the NBA Finals have averaged a combined total of 215.3 points per game.
- Dylan Harper has averaged 16 points per game in Game 1s this postseason and has -110 odds to score over 10.5 points tonight.
SAN ANTONIO – Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals tips off Wednesday night at 8:30 PM EST in San Antonio as the Spurs host the New York Knicks in a rematch of the 1999 NBA Finals.
2026 NBA Finals Game 1 Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knicks | +5.0 (-115) | +170 | O 219.5 (-110) |
| Spurs | -5.0 (-105) | -200 | U 219.5 (-110) |
The Spurs are five point favorites at home in Game 1 of the Finals at legal sports betting sites, looking to become the 60th team in the last 78 seasons (excluding the Bubble in 2020) to win Game 1 on their home floor.
57 of those 78 teams to have earned home court advantage would go on to win the series, a 73% clip.
However, if the Knicks were able to steal Game 1, it would dramatically shift the odds in their favor, as just under 70% of teams who have won Game 1 of the Finals have gone on to win the series.
The Spurs have gone 6-3 at home this postseason, 2-1 in Game 1s, but just 1-2 in their first home game of each series. New York has won each Game 1 that they’ve played thus far and are currently riding an 11 game win streak, having gone 6-1 on the road.
Under 219.5 Total Points Scored (-110)
While both teams seem to have found some rhythm offensively this postseason, both teams have tended to start slower in series.
Counting only final scores in regulation, there has been just one game out of the six combined Game 1s between the two teams in this season’s playoffs that has surpassed the 219.5 point mark, which was the Knicks against the 76ers in the second round.
The Knicks have averaged 117 points per game (in regulation) in their three Game 1s, which is heavily skewed by their 137 point outburst against Philadelphia. The Spurs have averaged just 104.7 points in their Game 1s.
Over the last 10 seasons, the average combined score of Game 1 of the Finals has amounted to 215.3 points per game.
Dylan Harper To Score Over 10.5 Points (-110)
The Spurs’ rookie guard has been a huge key to their success this postseason, averaging 13.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 25.6 minutes per game, increasing both his scoring output and efficiency numbers from the regular season.
In Game 1s, he’s been even better, averaging 16 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4 assists per game, which NBA Finals betting sites have yet to pick up on.
Harper was quiet in his first ever playoff game against the Trail Blazers in the first round, but put up impressive performances in Game 1 of both the Conference Semifinals and the Conference Finals, scoring 18 points against the Timberwolves and 24 against the Thunder.
His 18 points against Minnesota was his second most of any game in the series, while his 24 point performance against Oklahoma City in the Conference Finals was his most in that series.
