Knicks Chase 1st Title in 53 Years as Spurs Enter Game 5 Favored by 5.5

Q: Will Wembanyama's Shaolin training be the key to forcing a Game 6 in New York?

Probably not by itself, but it could be an important part of San Antonio’s path to a Game 6. Wembanyama’s Shaolin training is clearly relevant to why the Spurs still have a chance. The offseason work at the Shaolin Temple was designed to improve his balance, stamina, center of gravity and mental resilience after his shoulder blood clot scare. Those traits matter now, especially after San Antonio’s Game 4 collapse and with the season on the line. The Spurs need him to be steadier late, more forceful inside and mentally sharper under pressure. There is evidence the training has helped his broader development. It has been tied to his physical durability, defensive range and poise during this postseason, and he has generally produced well against New York. That supports the idea that a bounce-back game from him is plausible in Game 5. But the series has shown that Wembanyama alone is not the deciding factor. San Antonio’s bigger problems have been execution, turnovers, late-game decision-making and coaching mistakes. In Game 4, the Spurs abandoned what was working, went cold offensively and made critical errors in the final moments. Even a dominant Wembanyama performance will not be enough if those issues continue. So the Shaolin training may help Wembanyama respond physically and mentally, but the real key to forcing Game 6 is whether the Spurs pair his bounce-back with cleaner offense, better composure and smarter closing possessions.

3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Jun 13

New York enters Saturday's Game 5 in San Antonio with a 3-1 Finals lead, one win from its first NBA championship in 53 years.
A 29-point comeback in Game 4 — billed as the biggest in NBA Finals history — flipped the series and left the Spurs trying to recover on their home floor.
FanDuel lists San Antonio as a 5.5-point Game 5 favorite even though the Knicks are -500 to win the title, underscoring the split between single-game odds and series outlook.
Expert picks are divided but lean slightly to New York, with forecasts centering on Jalen Brunson's late-game control, OG Anunoby's two-way impact and whether Victor Wembanyama rebounds from a poor finish in Game 4.