Moral Victory: Knicks Only Lose by One to Spurs 100-99

After facing and defeating the second best defensive team in the league Wednesday night, the New York Knicks took on the league’s best defense San Antonio Spurs Friday night.

San Antonio allows a league-best 89.5 opponent points per game, that is 5.2 fewer points than the second-best Miami Heat! As the league try to replicate the high-octane, three-point happy Golden State Warriors, the Spurs are making a conscious effort to take that away.

San Antonio are allowing the least amount of opponent attempts from beyond the arc, allowing only 18.5 opponent three-pointers per game. And when opponents do take a three-pointer, they normally miss. The Spurs are forcing opponents to a league-best 31.5% from downtown.

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New York actually dealt with San Antonio’s defense pretty well to start the game, scoring 30 points in the first quarter. It was rookie sensation Kristaps Porzingis that was leading the charge, scoring ten of his game high 28 points in the opening period.

Porzingis seemed more aggressive, possibly wanting to prove that he can hang with All-Stars Tim Duncan and LaMarcus Aldridge. The 7’3″ Latvian always seems extra motived offensively when his match-up is key.

Then the best defense in the NBA showed up, holding the Knicks scoreless for five minutes in the middle of the second quarter. During this stretch the Spurs went on a 12-0 that gave them a 44-41 lead with 3:35 left in the first half. New York was held to only seven field goals in the second quarter, on 33.3% shooting from the field.

Coming out of halftime the Knicks continued to struggle offensively, as the Spurs continued to hold New York to sub-40% shooting. Porzingis was the lone Knick that shined in the third quarter, adding another nine points to his tally while collecting his 14th double-double of the season. Porzingis finished the game with 28 points and 11 rebounds.

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Friday night New York really showed that they truly have turned the corner; down by double-digits in the fourth quarter, the Knicks gutted it out and fought back. Not quitting on the game as the going gets tough as head coach Derek Fisher suggested just a week ago.

New York went on a 9-0, in which a Kawhi Leonard no-call ignited a Langston Galloway and-one play. This swung the momentum in the Knicks’ favor and New York was able to get within one possession; 92-89 with 2:49 remaining in the fourth quarter.

San Antonio immediately responded, with a crushing back-door play by Manu Ginobili. Ginobili beat his defender backdoor a few times on Friday… and this one was particularly back-breaking when the Spurs just score so easily after the Knicks had fought so hard to come back.

Dispute the deflating play, New York did not give up. As the Spurs just continued to score like the well-oiled machine they are, Arron Afflalo woke up in the final two minutes, knocking down two three-pointers to keep the game within reach.

New York Knicks

Tony Parker responded to Afflalo’s second three-pointer with a floater in the lane, which gave San Antonio a 100-97 lead with 33.3 seconds left in the game. Out of a timeout, Porzingis was able to score on an alley-opp dunk. More importantly only one second came off the clock.

New York’s defense held with 14.6 seconds remaining and a timeout remaining, Fisher signaled to the team to push it up the court. Of course the ball found it’s way to Anthony’s hands and with the clock ticking down, three Spurs converged on Melo. Anthony passed it to a semi-open Jose Calderon. Semi-open because Ginobili was able to recover late and slightly contest the shot.

Calderon missed. Game over.

Even though Calderon missed, it was a good play. It was the right play for Anthony, even though he looked frustrated in himself that he was not able to take the final shot.

Calderon had a great look from three, and is a great shooter. The Spaniard shoots 46.3% from beyond the arc when the nearest defender is 4-6 feet per NBA.com, and Ginobili was roughly that far.

Nonetheless the Knicks loss, but in my opinion it was a good moral victory for a team that won just 17 games last season. This was the San Antonio Spurs. A team that is contending for a title this year and the Knicks hung in tough even though they could have folded up, down double-figures in the fourth quarter. Instead New York fought back and had a chance to even WIN the game. Friday night was a moral victory in my book.

Next: Carmelo Anthony: New York Knicks Are Playing to Win

This weekend will be reserved for NFL Wildcard games, but tune in to MSG after the games are over on Sunday. The Knicks will take on the Milwaukee Bucks 7:30 EST. Isn’t it thoughtful of the schedule makers to allow Knick fans to watch the Giants and Jets play in the Playoffs, oh wait… never mind…. -_-“