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The goal for the New York Knicks in the first two games of the NBA Finals was to split the first two games in San Antonio against the Spurs.
On Wednesday night, the Knicks came back from a 14-point deficit in the second half to win Game 1 105-95.
On Friday, in Game 2, New York had a 14-point lead in the fourth, but the Spurs went on a furious 14-0 run to tie things at 97, and San Antonio would take their first lead at 104-102 in the second half on a Victor Wembanyama layup plus the foul with just under a minute to go. However, Jalen Brunson would hit a jumper to tie things up at 104, and he would make one of two free throws after Wembanyama turned the ball over and fouled him. Wembanyama had a chance to tie, but he missed a jump shot, and the Knicks would win 105-104.
The Knicks have not won 13 straight postseason games.
New York leads the series 2-0, and the series shifts to Madison Square Garden for Game 3 on Monday night.
The Knicks, who had five players in double figures, were led by Karl Anthony Towns’ 21 points and 13 rebounds. Mikal Bridges and Brunson had 20 points apiece.
For the Spurs, who also had five players in double figures, Wembanyama had 29 points and nine rebounds. De’Aaron Fox added 20, and Dylan Harper chipped in with 15 points.
Bottom Line:
The Knicks are in complete control of this series. However, the job is not finished. This series could easily be 1-1, or even 2-0, San Antonio.
As they head to New York, Game 4 is a must-win for the Spurs, as no team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit.
The Garden is going to be rocking on Monday night, so the Spurs will have to be ready for a hostile environment, but San Antonio is a young, resilient bunch, and expect them to show a lot of fight in Game 3.