What’s Wright - NBA Finals Game 5 Predictions: Brunson & Knicks will CLOSE OUT Wemby & Spurs | Nick Wright

Welcome to episode 467. No mailbag today—I just made the executive call to spin up a simple address for longer questions, and we’ll share it shortly. We’re jumping straight into a Game Five preview and World Cup talk, recorded right after Mexico won two-nil and before the rest of Friday’s matches.

Could the Spurs bounce back in Game Five, or did that loss slam the door?

To me, the series ended Wednesday. New York is better in clutch time; San Antonio has built double-digit leads and even led inside two minutes in every game yet trails three to one, their key guys are not rolling, while O.G. is in the form of his life and Brunson’s thirty points, five rebounds, and five assists are coming with growing efficiency.

That comeback welded the Knicks together; Hart will do anything, O.G. stays ice-calm, and Brunson plays with zero doubt. I expect MSG South in San Antonio and a real chance New York finally has the big three-point eruption they have not had yet.

Any risk they come in too high and get clipped?

I do not see a hangover—Brunson is steady, O.G. deadpan, and Hart downright ornery. Wemby can flash and maybe force a Game Six, but I do not buy three straight Knicks losses; I like New York in Game Five and to finish the job.

Switching to the FIFA forecast, what storylines top your board?

If Argentina repeats, the Messi debate ends; a Ronaldo run this late is the mirror quest. Spain and France look strongest—France for depth, Spain pending fitness—and I still have a soft spot for a battered but live Brazil.

The U.S. opens against Paraguay; what has to happen to believe in a quarterfinal push?

In an expanded field, the aim is to win the group for the cleanest knockout path, which starts by beating Paraguay. They will try to muck it up, so one-nil feels right, then take Australia, draw Turkey, and get to seven points.

Do you like the Americans at plus seven-fifty to reach the quarters?

I’d wait for the bracket; without opponents that’s a blind swing, and the most likely landing is an exit in the Round of 16. For the opener I prefer a one-nil U.S. scoreline at around plus five-fifty.

Any futures you actually played?

I’m riding with Brazil, I like the manager, and I once even sat in a card game with Neymar.

Settle in for daytime matches and great theater all month, then hoops at night. The mailbag is now live at [email protected]; subscribe so you do not miss the next drop, enjoy the Finals and the World Cup, and we’ll talk soon.