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Knicks Owner's Bold Claim About NBA Finals Stuns Fans

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Go, New York, go!

Knicks owner James Dolan believes his beloved team are going to clinch the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs.

“I feel we’re going to win,” he told Page Six exclusively at the “Vampire Lestat” premiere at the Beacon Theatre Tuesday night. “I really think we’re going to win.”

Jalen Brunson holds the Eastern Conference Championship trophy surrounded by his New York Knicks teammates wearing "Finals" shirts and hats.

The last time the Knicks (team members of which, including Jalen Brunson, are seen here after winning the Eastern Conference Championship on May 25) was in the NBA Finals was 1999. AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

James Dolan at the premiere of "The Vampire Lestat".

James Dolan spoke to Page Six at the “Vampire Lestat” premiere Tuesday night (pictured above). Jennifer Graylock/INSTARimages

Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Knicks and the Spurs is June 3 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Game 3, set for June 8, will be the first game played at Madison Square Garden in front of a sold-out crowd.

Game 3 may also feature a couple of unknown faces on “Celebrity Row,” as a pair of seats are being auctioned off with proceeds going to MSG’s Garden of Dreams Foundation, which helps kids in need across the region.

Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks celebrate winning the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Knicks owner believes the team (seen here again after clenching their ticket to the Finals) will defeat the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals, which would mark their first league championship since 1973 — more than 50 years ago. NBAE via Getty Images

James L. Dolan at "The Vampire Lestat" series premiere.

Dolan says he’s “excited” but also has “a lot of anxiety” ahead of the first Finals matchup at Madison Square Garden on June 8. Andrew H. Walker/Shutterstock

Dolan shared that he’s “excited,” but noted that feeling is also understandably tinged with a “lot of anxiety.”

The last time the Knicks made the finals was in 1999, and the last time they were crowned NBA champs was in 1973 — more than 50 years ago.

The businessman also told us that he won’t have any trouble getting to sleep the night before the big game, but might have some issues the night of.

“It’s sleeping after that’s harder actually…because you’re all juiced up,” he explained.

Landry Shamet #44 of the New York Knicks celebrates during Game One of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals.

He also shared that Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, which saw the Knicks come back from a 22-point deficit, was a “top ten” game of all time. NBAE via Getty Images

Knicks owner James Dolan shaking hands with player Karl-Anthony Towns.

Dolan also announced this week that he’s auctioning off two tickets on “Celebrity Row” for charity. Jason Szenes for the New York Post

Dolan added that the Knicks have won the last eleven games at the Garden, including the now-legendary Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, which saw the Knicks come back from a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in overtime. It was the largest playoff comeback in franchise history.

When Page Six asked Dolan if that was “the greatest game” he’d ever seen, he replied, “I don’t know if it’s the greatest game, but it’s definitely top 10.”

“Top 10,” we sputterered, “surely it deserved to be at least top 5,” prompting Dolan to sagely note, “I’ve been around a long time!”

Dolan is the executive chairman and CEO of Madison Square Garden Sports — which owns the Knicks and the NHL’s New York Rangers — as well as Sphere Entertainment and Madison Square Garden Entertainment.