In this weeks 13 Rules: Random NBA Thoughts Steve Purciello dives shares more random NBA thoughts. Spurs vs Knicks Series Breakdown: Key Moments, Comebacks, and What Decided Games 3–5 and more. Make sure to listen and add the 13 Rules: NBA Random Thoughts podcast the Shot Clock Pod to your list!
For the first time in the series, the Spurs begin the game with Wembanyama playing inside. The result is he scores nine points in the first seven minutes of the game.
San Antonio’s defense in the second half was smothering. They allowed only 47 points in that half. With Wembanyama manning the back line, the San Antonio guards were pressuring the Knicks up near half court. This gave the New York Knicks little time on the shot clock to get into their offense, causing them to take tough shots.
Spurs vs Knicks Series Game 4: Knicks Rally from 29 Down in Stunning Comeback
This was a game of two totally opposite halves. In the first half, the Knicks’ defense was poor and San Antonio shot well. The result was a 29-point lead. In the second half, the Knicks found themselves. Their defense kept San Antonio out of the paint, the Spurs’ shooting regressed to the mean, and the Knicks’ offense was rolling.
Two key factors spurred this great Knicks comeback. The first was Stephon Castle‘s five fouls. This enabled Jalen Brunson to go off, and he led the comeback. San Antonio should have never put him back in the game in the third quarter with four fouls. The other was De’Aaron Fox trying to make a layup with fourteen seconds left. The decision will be talked about in San Antonio for a long time. If Fox had dribbled until he was fouled, the Knicks would have had less time and may have needed a three to tie the game. Fox is a 75% free throw shooter, so you can’t say for sure he would have made both free throws.
To top off all the mistakes the Spurs made down the stretch, the last one was not guarding inbounder OG Anunoby. At the time, you understood the move, but it all went bad when Anunoby was able to freely go to the rim for the tip-in. Don’t get me wrong, the Knicks earned this win, but San Antonio didn’t help themselves down the stretch.
Spurs vs Knicks Series Game 5: Brunson Drops 45 as Knicks Close Series Strong
The first half was a similar story in these playoffs. San Antonio’s ball pressure defensively, with Wembanyama protecting the rim, made it difficult for the Knicks. At the half, the Spurs led by five.
The Knicks trailed by seven going into the fourth quarter. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks in their comeback, as he was outstanding, scoring 45. For San Antonio, it was a familiar story. In the last five minutes of the game, the basket got smaller, the offense didn’t move the ball, and points were hard to come by.
Series Takeaways: Experience vs Youth
The story of this series is that the Knicks, vastly older and more experienced, can close out games. The Spurs, younger, struggled down the stretch and played like a young team.
When I look at this series, a couple of things stand out. For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson was outstanding. OG Anunoby had the series of his life and was an outstanding second option. The Knicks knew what they had to do down the stretch: get the ball to Brunson, and he’ll make a play. His teammates have learned to play off him.
For the Spurs, a couple of things need to happen for them to be an annual Finals team. The first is Wembanyama must become a better shooter. He can take a shot from anywhere he wants because of his size, but he has to shoot the ball with some consistency. The Spurs also need to find an offense. Mitch Johnson has the biggest and best guy on the court, and he needs to be the guy who has the ball with the game on the line.
Final Verdict: Execution Decides the Series
The series comes down to this: the Knicks know how to execute at the end of games, and the Spurs are still trying to figure that out. Experience won.
