NBA Cup Final Preview: Knicks vs Spurs — tempo, talent and a high-scoring setup in Las Vegas

NBA Cup Final Preview time at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs meet in a one-game championship with real weight behind it. This isn’t an exhibition or a novelty — it’s a neutral-court final between two teams that have been among the most consistent in the league all season.

The storyline is clean: Jalen Brunson and a Knicks offense built on control and execution, against a Spurs team driven by pace, length and Victor Wembanyama’s ability to bend both ends of the floor. 🏆

🏟️ NBA Cup Final Preview: Game info

• Matchup: San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks
• Venue: T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas)
• Tip-off: December 16, 2025 (02:30 CET / Norway)
• NBA Cup: Emirates NBA Cup Final
• Regular-season records: Spurs 18–7 | Knicks 18–7

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📈 NBA Cup Final Preview: Regular season form & statistical profile

New York Knicks: The Knicks arrive in Las Vegas with one of the league’s most stable profiles. Through 25 games, New York is averaging 121.0 points per game while allowing 112.2, combining efficient half-court offense with physical rebounding. Brunson has been the engine, controlling tempo and consistently creating clean looks late in possessions.

Karl-Anthony Towns has added interior scoring and spacing, while Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart give New York lineups that can score without sacrificing defensive integrity. The result has been a team comfortable winning in different game scripts — fast, slow, or somewhere in between. ⭐️

San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs’ regular season record mirrors New York’s, and the underlying numbers explain why. San Antonio is scoring 119.7 points per game while allowing 115.2, leaning into pace, early offense and aggressive decision-making. When the Spurs get stops, they run — and when they run, games can swing quickly.

Victor Wembanyama remains the fulcrum. Even in limited stretches, his rim protection, rebounding and offensive gravity change the way opponents have to play. De’Aaron Fox’s downhill pressure and shot creation give San Antonio a second star who thrives in open-floor scenarios. ⚡️

🏆 NBA Cup Final Preview: The Cup run & momentum

This NBA Cup Final Preview matters because both teams earned their way here. The Knicks advanced through the bracket with poise, capped by a high-scoring semifinal win that showcased their shot-making and late-game execution. Brunson’s ability to take over possessions was the difference when the game tightened.

San Antonio’s path was defined by resilience. Their semifinal win came against elite competition and required discipline in the half court, not just transition bursts. That matters in a final, where adrenaline can push teams out of their comfort zones.

🩺 NBA Cup Final Preview: Injury report & availability

The availability picture is relatively clean for a game of this magnitude.

• Knicks: Depth pieces sidelined, core rotation intact
• Spurs: Victor Wembanyama available, though his minutes remain a variable after a recent calf issue

The key question isn’t whether Wembanyama plays — it’s how much. If his minutes are managed, San Antonio may lean more heavily on smaller, faster lineups. That can boost pace and offensive efficiency, even if it softens their rim protection in short bursts. 🧠

🔍 NBA Cup Final Preview: Matchup keys (what decides it)

1) Pace control vs controlled chaos. New York wants a game where each possession matters, where Brunson can probe and punish mistakes. San Antonio is happiest when the game stretches — quick outlets, early attacks, and pressure on the defense before it’s set.

2) The Fox–Brunson exchange. Brunson’s strength is command; Fox’s is acceleration. When Fox turns the corner, the Spurs’ offense spikes. When Brunson gets to his spots, New York’s efficiency climbs. This guard battle sets the tone for the entire game.

3) Neutral-court shooting variance. Finals often come down to who survives cold stretches. The Knicks have the structure to grind through them. The Spurs have the volatility to flip the game in minutes if shots fall. That dynamic leans toward scoring runs on both sides. 🔥

💰 NBA Cup Final Preview: Best bet & stake

• Pick: Over 234.0 total points
• Odds: -107
• Book: Coolbet
• Stake: 7 units

The numbers, the matchup and the context all point in the same direction. Both teams are averaging close to 120 points per game, both are comfortable playing fast in spurts, and a neutral-court final often produces offensive runs once nerves settle. If the Spurs go smaller around Wembanyama — or without him for stretches — the possession count and shot volume should push this game into the mid-230s. ⭐️