The NBA Finals are headed for what could be the last game of the series, Game 5, which the Spurs will host in San Antonio at 01:30 AM BST on Sunday morning.
At the half-time of Game 4, it seemed that we might see a seven-game series, with the Spurs rolling towards their second consecutive victory in Madison Square Garden, looking to tie the series at 2-2.
However, the Knicks managed to eradicate the 27-point half-time deficit and get a last-second win on the back of OG Anunoby's tip-in.
The Knicks overturned a 29-point deficit in this game, becoming the first team ever to do so in the NBA Finals, but can they close things out in Game 5 in Texas, or will the Spurs prolong the series? Can I do better than I did with my Game 4 predictions?
Read my NBA Finals Game 5 betting tips, odds, and expert predictions to find that out and to get a detailed San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks preview.
NBA Finals Game 5 predictions
Total points
Under 216.5
5/6
To score 20+ points
OG Anynoby
6/5
Dylan Harper total points
Over 15.5
Evens
All odds for my NBA Finals Game 4 picks were taken from Paddy Power and are subject to change at any time.
Under 216.5 total points
I have gone with under in all four games in these NBA Finals and I've been right three times, so I will again stick with this prediction for Game 5.
As I mentioned in other previews, these are the two best teams in the 2026 Playoffs when it comes to defensive rating and we've seen that proven in the finals, so I expect another low-scoring affair between them this evening.
OG Anunoby to score 20+ points
As a former champion with the Toronto Raptors in 2019, Anunoby is somewhat familiar with the stage of the NBA Finals, although his role with the Raptors isn't nearly as important as his role with the Knicks.
Anunoby is having a great post-season, averaging 20.7 points per game in the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Meanwhile, he's averaging 23.8 points per game in these NBA Finals and with his confidence sky-high after scoring the game-winner in Game 4, I expect to see another good performance by him in Game 5.
Dylan Harper over 15.5 total points
The youngest member of the already young San Antonio Spurs is perhaps the player who impressed the most in these NBA Finals. Harper has averaged 16.3 points per game in the finals, even though he always starts the games on the bench.
In Game 4, he had his best scoring output yet with 21 points, on 8 of 12 shooting. In fact, with the exception of Game 3, Harper has been at 50% or more in the other games in the NBA Finals.
Many fans and NBA experts are already calling for Harper to get more playing time and after that blunder in Game 4 by De'Aaron Fox, we might see the young guard get some of his minutes. All in all, with the series on the line, I'm backing the least-experienced Spur to have a good game and score at least 16 points.
NBA Finals Game 5 preview – team news, injuries, and predicted lineups
San Antonio Spurs preview and latest news
I've talked in my earlier previews about the “growing pains” that young NBA teams have to go through in the playoffs and the Spurs are experiencing those pains right now. San Antonio lost two games in these finals by one point, both times it was their mistakes that gave the Knicks a chance to steal the wins.
On the bright side, the Spurs are experiencing these pains in the NBA Finals and not many young teams get to this stage at all. They've also shown plenty of resilience, like nearly tying the series with two road wins, so the Spurs have plenty of reasons for optimism, especially looking beyond the 2026 NBA Finals.
However, at this stage, it seems that the Spurs have blown their chances to win the title this season as they have blown a 29-point lead in Game 4.
The Spurs are 13-10 in the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
Spurs starting lineup: Fox, Castle, Vassell, Champagnie, Wembanyama
New York Knicks preview and latest news
What new can I say about this Knicks team that I haven't said before? Oh, how about they just won a game by overturning a 29-point deficit, the largest deficit in the history of the NBA Finals and one of the biggest in the NBA ever (only seven times we saw teams win a game after being down more, with 36 points being the overall NBA record).
After winning Game 4 despite being down 27 points at half-time, especially with the win coming after an incredible tip-in by Anunoby in the final seconds of the game, it just seems like the New York Knicks are destined to win the title.
The Knicks have a true leader in Jalen Brunson and the rest of the roster has a winning mindset, never giving up, with role players like Landry Shamet and Jose Alvarado showing up in crucial moments as well.
The Knicks are 15-3 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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