NBA Finals: Spurs Struggle, Knicks Gain Upper Hand
Covering the NBA certainly exposes you to a wide array of opinions, many of which can be quite amusing. Casual fans often seem to think the game is all about flops and three-pointers, and they either regard someone as the greatest player ever or the worst defender imaginable. It’s a world dominated by hot takes and extreme views.
It’s so much easier to skim highlights and jump to conclusions. Watching the full game allows you to appreciate the stunning passes and plays that lead to those seemingly simple corner threes. Games 1 and 2 of the NBA Finals showcased some outstanding basketball, and I’m optimistic that Game 3 will continue that trend.
The San Antonio Spurs faced tough challenges. They didn’t just lose Game 2 once; it felt like they lost it multiple times. I genuinely don’t think they hold much hope for winning the championship anymore. They took five games to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers, six to overcome the Minnesota Timberwolves, and seven to get past the Oklahoma City Thunder. It’s grueling basketball for a young team, most players being 25 or younger. It’s not just about fatigue—mentally, it’s a lot to handle. They are still learning, and mistakes crop up more often than not.
In Game 2, the Spurs jumped to a big lead but let it slip away. During the fourth quarter, team leader Victor Wembanyama was visibly urging his teammates to rally. They managed to reclaim leads, only to lose them again. There was a moment when they forced Knicks’ star Jalen Brunson to miss a crucial shot, but then committed a turnover with a sloppy pass—like a miscommunication, sure, but let’s be real, it was just a poor decision.
A foul on Wembanyama resulted in a couple of free throws, giving the Spurs the ball back with about seven seconds left. This should have opened the full playbook for them, but then Wembanyama opted for a six-foot jump shot—perhaps the least advisable shot in basketball history.
With that, the game concluded, and the Knicks escaped with a win, which is impressive considering several of their key players were in foul trouble. If they lose their edge, they might complain about the referees. Speaking of, the officiating was pretty rough for both teams. They let a lot of physical plays go, which I actually appreciate as a viewer. However, I doubt we’ll see that in Game 3; I have a feeling Brunson will be swayed by crowd reactions any time someone so much as nudges him.
Knicks Hold 2-0 Lead in NBA Finals After Clutch Shot
The Knicks seem to just have to maintain their current strategy to win. They should keep rotating shooters and finding open teammates. It’s a straightforward approach, but it’s paying off for them.
Madison Square Garden is going to be electric. The sidelines will likely feature a host of celebrities, including President Donald Trump, who tends to draw a lot of attention—no matter your opinion of him. It’s bound to be a chaotic atmosphere. Can the Spurs handle that? I’m not so sure.
It’s curious—maybe it’s because the Knicks have won 13 straight games or due to Wembanyama’s star power—but the odds seem to underestimate the Knicks. I saw the Spurs in their last matchup, and honestly, they looked better for a good chunk of the game. Yet, the Knicks somehow pulled out the victory. Now, with home advantage, they’ll be soaking in the crowd energy, which is likely to be intense (San Antonio, after all, appeared pretty evenly divided in terms of fan support). The Knicks might just have an edge.
