SAN ANTONIO (Talk1370.com) -- Game 5 of the NBA Finals is tonight at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. After the historic comeback the New York Knicks served up the Spurs in Game 4 to take a three-games-to-one lead; this will be the first game of the series where a team can lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
During Wednesday’s Game 4 San Antonio had two distinct halves. In the first half the Spurs had no turnovers and shot 65% from the floor, including a record 14 made threes. Additionally, the Spurs held a 29 point lead on two different occasions during the game. They matched that gap late in the second quarter and shortly after the third quarter began. After holding an 81-52 lead with 9:40 remaining in the third, the Spurs saw the Knicks start a comeback of historic proportions. The win puts the Knicks just one victory away from their first NBA Championship since 1973.
Throughout all four games of the Finals, San Antonio has repeatedly built up double-digit advantages in the opening quarter. Despite these early leads by the Spurs, the Knicks have found a way to secure victories in three of those matchups.
Following an incredible turnaround to shock the Spurs in Game 4, the Knicks now hold a commanding 3-1 series lead. New York was fueled by stellar 30-point nights from Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby. This series marks only the third time in Finals history where the opening four games were all one-possession affairs in the closing two minutes, and just the second instance featuring multiple games decided by a single point.
Historical data heavily favors New York, as teams holding a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals have gone on to win 37 out of 38 series since 1947. The 2016 LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers remain the only squad to ever claim the title after trailing 3-1. Across the broader scope of NBA playoff history, a mere 15 teams have successfully overcome a 3-1 deficit, including two this postseason: the Philadelphia 76ers over the Boston Celtics, and the Detroit Pistons over the Orlando Magic.
Remarkably, all three of New York's losses this entire postseason have been by four points or less. The series now shifts to Frost Bank Center for a potential series clincher, where the Knicks look to extend an impressive streak of covering eight consecutive road games. Standing in their way are the San Antonio Spurs, who boasted a dominant 32-8 home record during the regular season. Despite dropping the first two games of this series in San Antonio, the Spurs have managed to avoid losing three straight at home all year, a streak they must maintain to keep their championship hopes alive. Throughout this entire postseason, the Knicks have proven difficult to beat, suffering only three losses.
"You've got to have a little luck in sports," Knicks coach Mike Brown said. "But you can also make your luck, too. So, you've got to have some natural luck and some luck where you're going to make your own, and that was probably the biggest message."
Even with changes in offensive style the Knicks have been great on the offensive boards. OG Anunoby’s put-back may be the biggest offensive rebound in Knicks history. Anunoby also had a key block of De’Aaron Fox's layup in the final moments that kept it a one-score game.
The Spurs have faced significant scrutiny for playing Spurs seven-footer, Victor Wembanyama at the top of the arc instead of using his height and playing near the basket. He missed eight shots and went just 1-of-4 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter. De’Aaron Fox also struggled in the final period during the Knicks' historic rally; he chose to attempt a layup in the closing seconds instead of running down the clock to draw a foul. Furthermore, Fox left OG Anunoby open on a Jalen Brunson three-point try; Anunoby secured the rebound off the rim and scored to clinch a 107-106 victory.
At this point in the series, no possibility can be counted out. Especially with New York winning both games on the road to start things out.
Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson said, "I wouldn't want to be with any other guys," adding that "we believe we can get it done."
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said, “By no means am I not acknowledging the Knicks and what they've done. Give them credit for playing good basketball. But we feel like we've decided the outcome of all four games."
Game 5 is on ABC with a tip just after 7:30 p.m. Central Time.
