New York Knicks: Keys to defeating the San Antonio Spurs on Jan. 2

SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 28: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against the New York Knicks on December 28, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 28: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against the New York Knicks on December 28, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
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SAN ANTONIO, TX – DECEMBER 28: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against the New York Knicks on December 28, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – DECEMBER 28: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against the New York Knicks on December 28, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)

The New York Knicks will play the San Antonio Spurs for the second time in less than a week on Tuesday, Jan. 2. What must New York do to avenge its previous loss?


The New York Knicks have been one of the most resilient teams in the NBA during the 2017-18 regular season. Despite enduring streaks of both a favorable and inauspicious nature, New York is 18-18 entering the 2018 calendar year.

On Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, the Knicks will have a chance to turn resilience into progress during a rematch with the San Antonio Spurs.

New York has been one of the most polarizing teams in the NBA in 2017-18, due in large part to its venue imbalance. It’s 15-6 during 21 games at Madison Square Garden, but has gone a mere 3-12 during its 15 road games.

Thankfully, the Knicks will return to The Mecca after a three-game road trip that concluded with a statement win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Knicks will have an opportunity to build upon that victory during a rematch with the Spurs. San Antonio defeated its 1999 NBA Finals adversaries on Dec. 28, and will come into Madison Square Garden with the intention of doing so again on Jan. 2.

The question is: What must the New York Knicks do in order to avenge their loss to the San Antonio Spurs and improve to 19-18?