Kicking off a loaded five-game Christmas Day NBA slate is a cross-conference matchup between the San Antonio Spurs (15-14) and New York Knicks (19-10). FanDuel has the Spurs as 9.5-point road underdogs in this game with the OVER/UNDER set at 224.5 points.
Victor Wembanyama is having a phenomenal sophomore season in the NBA, but can that be enough to keep things close against a loaded Knicks roster? Or will New York pick up a big win at Madison Square Garden? Let’s dive into the matchup and find out.
San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks Odds
Spurs vs Knicks, Dec. 25, 12:00 pm ET
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio Spurs | +9.5 (-110) | +315 | O224.5 (-110) |
| New York Knicks | -9.5 (-110) | -400 | U224.5 (-110) |
Odds as of Dec. 24 at FanDuel
San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks Picks
San Antonio Spurs +9.5 (-110) at FanDuel
The NBA Christmas schedule includes the Spurs this year due primarily to the talent of Victor Wembanyama. He has elevated his game in his second NBA season, averaging 24.7 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists on 48-35-88 shooting splits. He also leads the NBA with 3.8 blocks per game as the league’s premier shot blocker.
The rest of the Spurs roster has been inconsistent, but Devin Vassell has provided a significant boost after missing the first part of the season. Vassell is shooting a career-high 40.8% from 3-point range, and with all of the defensive attention that Wembanyama attracts, he generates plenty of high-quality looks from deep.
At 39 years old, Chris Paul isn’t the All-NBA point god he used to be, but he’s still provided a significant boost with 8.4 assists per game. He’ll help the Spurs stay in good offensive rhythm against a Knicks defense that has been vulnerable - New York ranks 14th in defensive rating this season.
Jalen Brunson is the engine of the Knicks offense, operating a stellar pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop offense with Karl-Anthony Towns. However, Wembanyama is the perfect defender to stymie that approach, capable of stepping out to defend KAT on the perimeter or protecting the rim on Brunson’s drives to the paint.
The Spurs are a young team on the rise, and they’ll be eager for this opportunity to make a statement on national television against a contender. Take the points with the plucky underdog here, with Wembanyama and the Spurs live for an upset on Christmas.
Spurs vs Knicks Prop Picks
Victor Wembanyama OVER 3.5 Blocks (-125) at FanDuel
The Spurs will need Victor Wembanyama to be a defensive anchor in this game against a potent offensive attack led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. His shot-blocking is generationally elite, as he’s capable of blocking shots from all over the floor with the mobility to cover ground with ease. Take Wembanyama’s blocks prop in this game as he looks to make a statement in front of a national TV audience on Christmas.
San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks Betting Trends
- The Spurs are 14-15 ATS this season
- The Knicks are 14-14-1 ATS this season
- Victor Wembanyama has scored 25+ points in five of his last six games
