The Frenchman gets everything wrong in the final seconds, the Knicks resist the Spurs’ comeback and win their 13th consecutive victory
An absolutely incredible finale rewards the courage of the Knicks, who now only know how to win. Brunson, as usual, is ready, Wemby, however, goes haywire in the last minute and New York also wins Game 2 105-104, thus finding their 13th consecutive victory. The first title in 53 years is now truly one step away.
the match
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There are several New York fans in the stands of the Frost Bank Center (undoubtedly more than in game 1) and they make themselves heard, but the Spurs start with great energy. All-out pressure on Brunson and a lot of aggression. Champagnie’s triples arrive in attack to give enthusiasm to Spurs fans. Wemby doesn’t push and San Antonio moves the ball well in attack, but Brunson keeps the Knicks in the game with a couple of spells, at least until Harper comes on, leaving his mark on both sides of the pitch in this first quarter too. With Wemby taking a breather on the bench and Robinson on the pitch, coach Johnson decides to play the “Hack-a-Mitch” card. However, the Knicks big man limited the damage by making 3/6 from the free throw line. In the final, however, Fox shakes off too many mistakes from game 1 and with a couple of penetrations brings the home team to a double-digit lead. With Brunson on the bench at the beginning of the second quarter, an excellent Towns takes charge of the Knicks’ attack, scoring from the perimeter and then fighting in the painted area. KAT’s production is a boon for New York, which remains in its wake. Castle also lends a hand as he picks up an avoidable third foul on Alvarado’s impossible long-range shot and is forced to return to the bench eight minutes before half-time.
overtaking
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Brunson thus returns to -3, great news for the Knicks. Bridges from the corner is a sentence, so New York takes the lead while also playing some great basketball at times. Two bad turnovers by Wemby at the end of the half don’t help San Antonio’s cause, Towns punishes the Spurs’ distractions from long range and so New York goes into the locker room at half-time ahead by four points. The Knicks see their opponent wobbling and start with the best possible attitude in the second half. Great defense, then triples from Anunoby and Brunson give the visiting team a double-digit lead. New York travels quickly but two quick fouls from a devastating Towns force Mike Brown to replace his big man, who goes to the bench with four fouls on the scoresheet. Nothing seems to affect these Knicks, who feel the pinch for a couple of minutes then start marching again with the baskets of a fundamental Bridges this postseason. The visiting team takes control of the match and ends the third quarter ahead 84-75.
the comeback
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It’s now or never for the Spurs, but the Knicks have no intention of cooperating. The defense remains devastating and in attack New York finds fundamental points from its two bench players Shamet and McBride. Not even Hart’s fifth foul 7’45” from the siren upsets coach Brown’s plans, the guests play a space basketball, also take several rebounds in attack and escape to +14 in the middle of the half. The Spurs seem to be in the ground, but against all odds they rise again. Fox tries to push his team, Wemby follows him and suddenly San Antonio starts scoring continuously. The result was an incredible 14-0 run that tied the score. In the end the calculations must be made with Brunson, who once again takes the limelight. In the final seconds, everything happens. Wemby’s three-point play brings San Antonio back to +2, but Brunson equalizes the score with 39” from the end. Ball goes to Wembanyama who, defended by Robinson, decides to settle for a very complicated shot from the perimeter which only finds the rim. We go and the play that decides the match arrives.
wemby messes up
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It’s not the Knicks who produce it, but Wemby: after capturing the defensive rebound 13” from the end, instead of calling timeout to bring the ball and then serve it to Castle who has his back to him, Brunson recovers it and the Frenchman completes the madness by sending him to the line with an avoidable foul. The leader of the Knicks makes only 1/2 free throws, San Antonio therefore has one last chance to get back into a series that would otherwise be scored. Fox looks for the opening, then serves Wemby on the perimeter: defended by Robinson, he tries to win with a shot from medium distance, but this time his shot doesn’t find the net either. Nothing to do, the Knicks win this one too and take full possession of a series that incredibly could end in game 4 at the Garden. Game 3 is played on Tuesday at 2.
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