DraftKings. It’s a tougher matchup for Karl-Anthony Towns tonight. The Spurs allow the seventh fewest points plus rebounds to opposing centers this season. Against teams in the top 20 of both points in the paint allowed and rebounds allowed (Spurs are 7th in both categories), Towns is under this line in six of nine games. It’s a very tough individual matchup against Victor Wembanyama and Luke Kornet, and when the former is on the court, Towns becomes a big time foul liability. I’d bet this down to under 31.5.

This just feels like a game the veteran Knicks might be itching for more than the young Spurs considering NYC hasn't celebrated an NBA championship in anything since 1973. And there is the fact Victor Wembanyama is expected to remain on a pitch count and perhaps come off the bench again. I know cash is at stake here, but the Spurs might be a tad flat off that really entertaining upset of OKC on Saturday. If we go by season net rating, NY is at plus-8.6 and SA at plus-4.2. Also pretty sure tonight will be mostly Knicks fans in Vegas for what that's worth.

If it was the NBA Cup championship or just a standard regular season game, to me tonight is the perfect time to fade the Spurs. They blew out a Lakers team as a seven point underdog, and ended the Thunder’s sixteen game win streak. Postgame after defeating the Magic, we heard Karl Anthony Towns talk about the Knicks having had their best practices of the season. It’s carried over onto the court where the Knicks have won eight out of their last nine games. The East wins the NBA cup for a second straight season.

New York is just 4-7 ATS in away from the Garden this season. They’ll also be without Deuce McBride and Landry Shamet tonight but besides those two, they’re fully healthy. The Spurs are a young, fun team and just defeated the reigning champs, but New York is more proven with a veteran lineup and bench. Victor Wembanyama just returned after missing a month and came off the bench Saturday, doubt he comes off the bench tonight, but still could be limited. The Spurs struggle defending the opponents mid-range shots, where Jalen Brunson can carve up any defense.

In his first game back from a calf injury, Victor Wembanyama played 21 minutes off the bench against the Thunder. He still scored 22 points. For the season, he is averaging 25.8 points per game. It’s possible that he comes off the bench again and is on a minutes restriction, but he could play closer to 25 minutes in this NBA Cup championship game. Last season, he scored 42 points in a marquee Christmas game against the Knicks. With the NBA Cup in the line, look for Wembanyama to assert his dominance and hit this over, even in limited minutes.

We've thought the Knicks could win the NBA Cup from the outset so not terribly surprised they've made it to the finals at T-Mobile. A veteran team that has knocked on the door in the playoffs, this is a chance to win something for NY and lay the groundwork for bigger things next spring. The Knicks are mostly healthy and the big guns are firing, with Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns combining for 69 points in the semis win over the Magic on Saturday. Meanwhile we wonder if the Spurs are going to exhale after pitching a near perfect-game when knocking off favored OKC on Saturday, and Wemby, though activated, is likely still on a minutes restriction for SA. Play Knicks (at Las Vegas)

Jalen Brunson has scored 30-plus points in four straight games, including a 40-point outburst in the NBA Cup semifinals. He has played 39 minutes in each of the last two rounds, and that should be his floor Tuesday in the final. Miles McBride and Landry Shamet remain sidelined; I don't expect Mike Brown to trust Jordan Clarkson and Tyler Kolek with big minutes. Look for Brunson, shooting 50.4 percent over his last 12 games, to put up at least 30 in this spotlight game.

San Antonio is coming off ending the Oklahoma City Thunder’s sixteen game winning streak in Saturday’s semi-final win. When a star player returns the impact is typically felt in the second game. Expect Wemby to have a minutes increase, and for the Knicks star guard to be ready to attack the Spurs defense. Additionally, the Spurs have two players Mike Brown coached on his last time in Sacramento in D’Aaron Fox and Harrison Barnes. Expect Brown to have the right sets for Brunson to attack in half court.

How many times can the Spurs be disrespected? The Knicks are favored in this game?!? Weren't the Thunder the best team in the NBA? And what did the Spurs do to them? Hand them their second loss of the year, with Victor Wembanyama back in the lineup and being effective. I see the same result in this NBA Cup title game. Give me the Spurs on the money line.