NBA Betting Tips: Party like it’s 1999…

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New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

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Money Line - New York Knicks @ 6/4

It's taken the Knicks 27 years to make it to the NBA Finals, so it is only poetic that their reappearance comes against the side that denied them the title in 1999.

New York enter the series with a clear rest advantage, having had nine days to recover after sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals, while the Spurs were taken to seven games in a thrilling series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, last year's champions.

A quick turnaround will present a physical challenge to San Antonio, but there also could be some rustiness from New York with them being off the court since 26 May.

My belief is that Victor Wembenyama is the best player in the series, but the Knicks - and Jalen Brunson - have the better supporting cast in OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart. The Knicks will also have the mental edge, with New York winning two of the pair's three regular-season meetings, including the NBA Cup final in December.

So, I'm backing New York to steal game one in what will be a hostile arena.

Victor Wembenyama and Jalen Brunson to combine for 70+ points @ 15/2

Wembanyama and Brunson are their respective team's best players, and I'm expecting both to put on a show on Wednesday night.

The Spurs star has already announced himself as potentially the future face of the league with his performances against OKC, and the big Frenchman is averaging 23.2 points per game in this post-season. It's unsurprising to see the 22-year-old as 8/15 favourite to win NBA Finals MVP.

Brunson has been excellent for the Knicks during the play-offs, helping his team win 11 in a row since suffering a defeat against Atlanta in the opening round, and he was crowned Eastern Conference Finals MVP after sweeping the Cavs.

Wemby's game one tallies so far during these play-offs have been 35 (vs Portland), 11 (vs Minnesota) and 41 (vs Oklahoma City), while Brunson's read 28 (vs Atlanta), 35 (vs Philadelphia) and 38 (vs Cleveland), so I think backing the pair to combine for 70+ points looks a cracking bet here.