The New York Knicks made quick work of the Cleveland Cavaliers to sweep the Eastern Conference Final, punching their first ticket to an NBA Finals since 1999.
Now, the question that remains is, who will play the Knicks in the NBA Finals for the Larry O'Brien Trophy, the Oklahoma City Thunder or the San Antonio Spurs?
Let's explore the options below, ahead of Game 5 of the Western Conference Final.
Who will face the Knicks in the NBA Finals?
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How the Western Conference Final was won
The Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs have traded body blows through four games of the Western Conference Final, with both teams looking like the definitive favorite at various times.
After the Spurs opened the series with a 122-115 victory in OKC, the Thunder answered with back-to-back victories before San Antonio returned serve with the most lopsided win for either side of the series, taking Game 4 103-82.
The Thunder, who hold the homecourt advantage for the final three games, are favored to advance to their second straight championship series. Kalshi has OKC listed at 60% probability of winning the seven-game set with the Spurs.
Wemby can change the tides
However, Victor Wembanyama is, unsurprisingly, the ultimate X-factor. In San Antonio's Game 1 win, Wemby went for 41 points and 24 rebounds. In Game 4, he scored 33. In the two losses, he's gone for 21 and 26 points, respectively.
The Spurs lack the Thunder's depth, but Wembanyama is such a dynamic player who has shown an ability to take over games like no one else has in this series, even back-to-back NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Buckle up for Game 5
Kalshi's series odds mirror the lines for Game 5, with OKC listed as having 60% probability to win tonight at Paycom Center. The Thunder have only lost once at home during the NBA playoffs, but that came in Game 1 of this series.
So, if you are confident in the Spurs, consider investing in the outcome of tonight's game by backing San Antonio.
No team has exhibited a stronger ability at counter-punching OKC than Wemby & Co., dating back to the regular season. It'll probably be the best value you'll get on the Spurs from here on out, too.
Knicks will be well-rested underdogs
The conventional wisdom has appeared to be that whichever team escapes the West will ultimately win the NBA Championship. The New York Knicks will be the underdog no matter who stands across from them, but they distribute the ball extremely efficiently, with five players averaging double-digit scoring during these playoffs.
Jalen Brunson leads the way with 26.9 points per game, but OG Anunoby (19.7) and Karl-Anthony Towns (16.9) aren't far off. The Knicks will also have the rest advantage after eliminating the Cavaliers on Monday.
During the regular season, New York went 0-2 vs. OKC and 1-1 against San Antonio. The Knicks will adjust their game plan depending on which team makes it through.
Brunson will almost definitely be used as a counterweight to SGA if the Thunder advance, where Towns will need to be his best big self to even slightly slow Wembanyama (you can't fully contain him).
