A basketball fans perspective

The Finals

Game 3 between the Spurs and Knicks has now shifted to Madison Square Garden, “The World’s Most Famous Arena.” The game was a must-win for San Antonio, while New York had enough cushion to ease off the pressure if it chooses. I wonder if the ESPN radio crew I heard over the weekend might now regret their “victory parade” talk at least for a time. The final score read Spurs 115 Knicks 111 as the Texas team played much better on Monday evening. What I find interesting shooting from the field and the three line were even for both teams, so what made for a Spurs victory? Wemby had an improved game leading the way with 32 points 8 rebounds 3 blocks and 6 assists, in 39 minutes of action he only committed a single TO. He played the entire 4th quarter which impacted the game in favor of the Spurs. 

Spurs guard Stephon Castle scored 28 points and dished out 5 assists and had only 2 TO’s in 38 minutes. As for the Knicks Jalen Brunson scored 32 points but had to take 25 shots in order to accumulate his point total. OG Anunoby scored 28 points and played his usual outstanding defensive game, coming up short for the Knicks was KAT. He got in foul trouble and managed but 11 points and 8 rebounds. It appeared the bench came up short in this game for the Knicks, Jordan Clarkson scoring 10 points might have been the man. Dependable Landry Shamet was an ice cold 1 for 8 from the floor, but he wasn’t alone Jose Alvarado also didn’t contribute much either. Despite this limited production the Knicks were in the game until the very end. The key for me, the Spurs took much better care of the ball than the first two games. Now the Knicks must regroup and prepare for Game 4 without the distractions surrounding this one, they clearly still hold the edge in the series.