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Jalen Brunson takes the wheel in the fourth quarter as the Knicks beat the Spurs to win their 12th straight playoff game, which is tied for the second-longest postseason streak in NBA history.
SAN ANTONIO, USA – Jalen Brunson scored 13 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter and the New York Knicks overcame a 14-point third quarter deficit to post a 105-95 victory over the host San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday, June 3 (Thursday, June 4, Manila time).
Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 18 points and 12 rebounds as the Knicks won their 12th straight playoff game, tied for the second-longest postseason streak in league history.
New York rattled off 11 straight games while playing in its first NBA Finals game since 1999.
OG Annoby produced 12 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter for the Knicks, who did not commit a turnover in the final period. San Antonio got the ball out of bounds five times in the final 12 minutes while shooting 28.6% (6 of 21) and was outscored 29-19.
Spurs star Victor Wembanyama registered 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocked shots but made only 6 out of 21 field goals. Stephon Castle had 17 points and 8 rebounds, Julian Champagnie added 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Dylan Harper had 16 points off the bench.
Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is set for Friday in San Antonio.
Landry Shamet scored 13 points off the bench while Josh Hart had 15 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 saves and 3 points for the Knicks.
New York shot 41.5% from the field, including 11 of 36 (30.6%) from three-point range.
The Spurs connected on 36% of their field goal attempts and were 11 of 43 (25.6%) from behind the arc.
Brunson scored 8 straight points, including a driving layup with 6:08 left to give the Knicks a 94-86 advantage. Wembanyama responded with 8 points during a 9-0 run as the Spurs went ahead 95-94 with 2:16 to play.
San Antonio would not score again, and Brunson drew a corner kick to put the Knicks ahead with 1:50 left.
Mikal Bridges hit two free throws, Brunson hit a jumper, and Anunoby sank four straight free throws to seal the game.
San Antonio led by seven at halftime before scoring 10 of its first 13 points in the third quarter to take a 65-51 lead on Harper’s basket.
The Knicks responded with a 20-6 burst and scored 71 points on Brunson’s jumper with 2:01 left in the third.
Knicks reserve center Mitchell Robinson (broken pinkie) played 13 minutes and had 2 points and 6 rebounds.
Champagnie had 15 points on 5 three-pointers as the Spurs led 55-48 at the half. Brunson scored 11 for the Knicks despite injuring his right knee in the first quarter and left ankle in the second. – Rappler.com
