NBA Betting Preview: A Small But Interesting Slate to Close the Week
We are deep into June, which means the NBA calendar is trimmed down and every game carries extra weight. This week's slate features two matchups, both tipping off Thursday, June 4 at 8:40 PM EDT. The Knicks appear in both games, and the contrast between the two lines is what makes this slate worth unpacking from a betting perspective. In one game New York is a 70 percent implied-probability favorite. In the other, they are a 38 percent underdog. That split tells a story.
Before diving in, compare live odds across both games on the NBA odds page at Line Whale to make sure you are getting the best number available.
Thursday, June 4 NBA Odds and Game Previews
New York Knicks at Oklahoma City Thunder
Moneyline: Knicks -233 / Thunder +190 Spread: Knicks -6.5 (-115) Total: 216.5
The market is firmly behind New York here. At -233, the Knicks carry an implied win probability of roughly 70 percent, making them a substantial road favorite. The core question with a line this steep is whether the juice is worth squeezing. Laying -233 on a moneyline means you need the Knicks to win about seven out of ten times just to break even. The 6.5-point spread at -115 offers a more digestible entry point if you believe New York controls this game but want a cushion rather than a straight win-or-lose proposition.
Oklahoma City at +190 converts to implied odds of roughly 34 percent, meaning the market gives the Thunder about a one-in-three shot at home. If you see value in OKC, the plus money is there, but you are swimming against a strong current. Sharp bettors who favor underdogs in this range tend to focus on line movement rather than the opening number. Check Steam Moves to see if any significant action has shifted this line before tip.
The total at 216.5 suggests oddsmakers expect a moderately paced game. Monitor late injury news that could affect either team's rotation depth before locking in a side.
New York Knicks at San Antonio Spurs
Moneyline: Knicks +165 / Spurs -200 Spread: Spurs -4.5 (-118) Total: 218.5
Same opponent, completely different role. The Knicks flip to underdogs at +165, and San Antonio is installed as a -200 home favorite with an implied probability of 67 percent. The Spurs are laying 4.5 points at -118, a standard line for a team the market trusts but does not consider unbeatable.
The +165 on New York implies a 38 percent win probability for the Knicks. This is not a blowout special. The market respects San Antonio but is not dismissing New York, and for bettors who target plus-money spots with competitive implied probability, +165 at 38 percent deserves a closer look from an expected value standpoint. Run those numbers with the EV Calculator to see how the math lines up against your own estimate.
At 218.5, this game carries the highest total on the slate by two points, suggesting oddsmakers expect a slightly more uptempo pace in San Antonio than in Oklahoma City.
NBA Betting Takeaways for the Week
Two games, two very different roles for the same franchise. The Knicks as a 70 percent road favorite in one game and a 38 percent underdog in the next is a clear reminder that context, home court, matchup, and rest all swing perceived probability dramatically from game to game.
With a limited slate, the temptation to parlay is real. Keep in mind that combining a -233 favorite with a -200 favorite will compress your payout significantly, while combining both underdogs introduces more variance than a two-game Thursday typically warrants. Run any combination through the Parlay Calculator before committing so you know exactly what you are getting for your risk.
Shop your lines, watch for movement, and enjoy a short but compelling Thursday night card.