Magic Johnson raises key Knicks-Spurs NBA Finals question over rest advantage

Only two teams remain in the battle for the much-coveted Larry O’Brien Trophy, as the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs face off in the NBA Finals.

It is building up to be a mix of novelty and nostalgia, as the league will crown a new champion in a rematch of the NBA Finals in 1999, which the Spurs won in five games.

The Knicks are well-rested after sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Spurs, on the other hand, are coming off a seven-game duel with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.

With that said, leave it to NBA legend Magic Johnson to ask the extremely hard-hitting question that even advanced analytics and scientific philosophies could not answer.

“What team will be affected the most? The Knicks, because of their eight days off? Or the Spurs only having three days off after a grueling seven-game series before Game 1?” wrote Johnson on X.

“This is set to be one of the most-watched NBA Finals because both teams peaked at the right time and got hot in the playoffs!”

New York is riding on an 11-game winning streak, while San Antonio ousted the reigning champion. So it is hard to say who has the bigger momentum. Both teams seem to be favored by destiny.

Moreover, the Knicks and the Spurs split their two meetings in the regular season.

Fatigue may be a factor for Victor Wembanyama, who looked gassed at times against the Thunder.

But according to a report from USA Today’s Nick Brinkerhoff, the Spurs are favored to win the NBA Finals, based on the latest betting odds.

Game 1 is at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday.

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