The Game 2 of the 2025-26 NBA Finals is scheduled for tonight, or early morning, depending on how you look at it, i.e. it is scheduled to start on Saturday at 01:30 BST.
Looking back at Game 1, the Knicks managed to steal the win and home-court advantage in the series, just as I predicted in my Game 1 preview.
Now the Spurs must punch back, or they risk being down 0-2 after two games at home, which would pretty much mean the end of their title dreams.
With that in mind, I'll take a closer look at this game and offer my detailed San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks preview, along with my favourite NBA Finals Game 2 betting tips, odds, and expert predictions.
NBA Finals Game 2 predictions
Total points
Under 214.5
9/10
To record 2+ steals
Josh Hart
11/10
Victor Wembanyama total points
Over 27.5
Evens
All odds for my NBA Finals Game 2 picks were taken from Paddy Power and are subject to change at any time.
Under 214.5 total points
The Spurs are heavily favoured to win Game 2 and while I can see them winning, I'm not so certain about them covering the spread (-6.5). With that in mind, I would avoid betting on the outcome and focus on points instead.
As I mentioned in my preview for Game 1, these two teams have the two best defensive ratings in these playoffs and we saw that in the first game, which had a total of just 200 points, going well below the line for the game of 218.5 total points.
The line is now down to 214.5 total points, but I still expect to see another low-scoring affair. After all, these two teams also met in the NBA Cup final and in that game, we only saw 203 points. So, my first NBA Finals Game 2 prediction is under 214.5 total points.
Josh Hart to record 2+ steals
While Jalen Brunson and Karl Anthony Towns are arguably the most important players on this Knicks roster, their heart is, incidentally, Josh Hart.
Hart is the energy guy who leaves everything on the floor every single game and he proved that once again in Game 1, in which he was a crucial contributor to the win despite having just three points. Meanwhile, he recorded 15 rebounds (more than Victor Wembanyama) and four steals.
Hart is averaging 1.9 steals per game in the 2026 playoffs, but he has had at least two steals in the last four games. In the last four games, he averages three steals per game, so I'm backing him to have at least a couple of steals in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
Victor Wembanyama over 27.5 total points
The first game of the finals was a fiery debut at this level for the young French phenom, who finished the game with a solid 26 points. However, he was forced to take many shots far from the basket, including nine three-point attempts, of which he only made two.
I expect to see some adjustment from the Spurs and to see them create better looks for Wembanyama in the paint. Wemby has to take advantage of his height and while KAT and Mitchell Robinson are more than capable of containing him in the paint thanks to their strength advantage, the Knicks still fouled Wemby a lot in Game 1, leading to 13 free-throw attempts for the Frenchman.
So, if the Spurs find a way to get Wemby the ball inside more, he should be able to score more points and I can see him going over 27.5 total points in Game 2.
NBA Finals Game 2 preview – team news, injuries, and predicted lineups
San Antonio Spurs preview and latest news
The Spurs are ahead of schedule just by reaching the Finals this season, but that doesn't mean they are satisfied with it. That being said, this is a young team and most young teams have to go through some tough playoff losses before they finally win it all.
In any case, the Spurs had some great games in these playoffs, but also some bad ones, and the same is to be expected in these Finals. With Game 1 going to the Knicks, the Spurs fans will certainly hope that Game 2 will be one of the team's greatest games in the playoffs.
For this to happen, Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox have to be better offensively since they were bad in Game 1 (6-21 for Wemby, 3-13 for Fox).
The Spurs are 12-8 in the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
Spurs starting lineup: Fox, Castle, Vassell, Champagnie, Wembanyama
New York Knicks preview and latest news
After struggling in Round 1 against the Atlanta Hawks, with the series at one point being tied at 2-2, the Knicks have found their rhythm and have since won 11 games in a row, sweeping the 76ers and the Cavaliers to reach their first NBA Finals since 1999.
The 11th consecutive win could prove to be crucial in the battle for the title since the Knicks now have the home-court advantage against the Spurs after winning Game 1 in San Antonio.
Jalen Brunson once again led the team in scoring with 30 points, proving once again that he is a true superstar in this league. Towns and Anunoby contributed in the high teens, while Landry Shamet gave them a spark off the bench with 13 points on 5-9 shooting. More importantly, the entire team played suffocating defence and that is the recipe for winning for New York.
The Knicks are 13-2 in the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
Knicks starting lineup: Brunson, Bridges, Anunoby, Hart, Towns
An avid sports fan and bettor, with a soft spot for basketball, tennis, and football. Vladimir is a part of MFT's unique community both as writer and editor.
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