There is only one NBA game on the schedule for tonight, Tuesday, December 16. That game is the final of the 2025 NBA Cup Championship tournament. In that contest, the San Antonio Spurs face the New York Knicks at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The tourney final does not count toward the regular-season standings, but each player on the winning team takes home $514,971. The losing club players earn $205,988 each.
The Spurs went 3-1 in the Group Stage of the NBA Cup. The team advanced to the semifinals with a 132-119 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. The team’s top player, Victor Wembanyama, did not play in that game. However, he was in the lineup for the club’s 111-109 win over Oklahoma City that secured the Spurs’ spot in the finals.
The Knicks also went 3-1 in the Group Stage of this year’s tournament. New York advanced to the semis with a 117-101 victory over the Toronto Raptors. In the semifinal round, the Knicks defeated the Orlando Magic 132-120.
The Spurs and the Knicks have not played this season. Last year, the clubs faced off twice, splitting the series 1-1. Each team won at home.
| To Win 2025 NBA Cup Championship |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio Spurs | +115 | +115 | +115 |
| New York Knicks | -135 | -135 | -135 |
| San Antonio +2.5 | -112 | -110 | -110 |
| New York -2.5 | -108 | -110 | -110 |
| Over 230 Points | -110 | -110 | -110 |
| Under 230 Points | -110 | -110 | -110 |
One of the big questions facing the San Antonio Spurs is how much playing time Victor Wembanyama will see in the 2025 NBA Cup Championship final. Wembanyama played 21 minutes off the bench on Saturday when the Spurs beat the Thunder to earn a spot in the final. It was Wembanyama’s first game since a November 14 loss to the Golden State Warriors. A calf injury kept him out of the lineup. Wembanyama was the Spurs’ leading rebounder in that contest. He tied for the second-highest scoring total on the club, while also posting a team-best plus-21 point differential and two blocks. Even in limited time, Wembanyama is a difference maker.
While the loss of Wembanyama was significant, it can’t be ignored that the Spurs went 9-3 without their star player in the lineup. San Antonio showed great team play during that span, with De’Aaron Fox stepping up to help lead the club in Wembanyama’s absence.
Another thing to consider going into this contest is that fewer than 30 percent of Wembanyama’s minutes this season have come with Fox on the court. Facing both men at once is a frightening proposition.
The Spurs’ win over the Thunder was Oklahoma City’s second loss of the season. The top team in the NBA, the Thunder are 24-2 on the year, and had not lost since they dropped a November 5 road contest to Portland, 121-119.
While we don’t know how many minutes Victor Wembanyama will play tonight, we do know that the New York Knicks’ defense has to be ready for each of those minutes. Wembanyama was plus-21 in 21 minutes against OKC, who have the best statistical defense in the NBA. New York is not far behind the Thunder, ranking fourth, but the team has to be ready for Wembanyama. Last year, Wembanyama put up 42 in the one game he played against the Knicks, picking up those points and 18 rebounds in 40 minutes, going plus-seven for the game.
While the Knicks have to deal with Wembanyama, the Spurs need to consider Jalen Brunson. Brunson is the No. 7 scorer in the NBA, averaging 28.8 points per game on 33.5 minutes. He also leads the team in assists with 6.4. Brunson is coming off a game where he scored 40 points (33 unassisted) and added eight assists. Brunson will get his points, but if he can get his teammates involved and pick up his assists, the Knicks’ chances of winning the 2025 NBA Cup Championship increase.
The Knicks need to limit turnovers, and one way to do that is to keep the ball in Brunson’s hands. He is averaging 2.0 turnovers per game in December on 37 minutes of playing time. Brunson is among the league leaders in touches this season with 92.1 and third in time of possession per touch.
Another thing to consider is that the Knicks are the older, more experienced club, and that could make a difference in this high-stakes matchup.
This should be an exciting matchup. In the San Antonio Spurs, you have a young team that may be able to blow off the pressure of this game and just focus on getting things done. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks are an experienced club that can handle the pressure and step up when needed.
The betting pick is for the New York Knicks to beat the San Antonio Spurs to win the 2025 NBA Cup Championship.
The betting pick is that the New York Knicks will cover the spread.
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