Knicks Preview: 5 Keys to Defeating the San Antonio Spurs

Oct 31, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) and New York Knicks guard Jose Calderon (3) battle for a loose ball in the first quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

2. Limit Turnovers

Against the Milwaukee Bucks, the New York Knicks committed just 11 turnovers. In the two games that have followed, however, the Knicks have coughed it up an overwhelming 39 times.

That didn’t cost them a victory against the Washington Wizards, but it did against the Atlanta Hawks and would with the San Antonio Spurs.

San Antonio is as good a team as any at taking advantage of the opportunities it receives. That’s especially true for turning defense into offense, with defensive aces Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard leading the opportunistic charge.

San Antonio currently ranks No. 6 in steals, and it should only add to that number if New York plays as sloppy as it has.

The issue isn’t as much about giving the Spurs opportunities in transition as it is giving them general opportunities. Whether or not they set up their half court offense, San Antonio has the personnel to dominate every positional matchup it has with the Knicks.

Every matchup but one, that is.

Next: The Featured Matchup