Spurs face daunting challenge Knicks have mastered all playoffs

The San Antonio Spurs are facing their biggest challenge yet, on the heels of a historic NBA Finals collapse. Their young core has done well at bouncing back throughout the playoffs, and will need to channel that same energy (plus some) in Game 5 on Saturday to keep the Knicks from winning their first title since 1973.

It won't be easy, not with the way that New York has looked in its other closeout games in the first three rounds.

You're probably thinking that this Spurs team is different than the Hawks, Sixers, and Cavaliers. Guess what? You're right about that. None of those teams holds a candle to San Antonio, but this is less about Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Cleveland and more about New York.

The Knicks have been a different beast in the playoffs, and although the pain is still fresh, making it hard to look back on (and it could be for a long time), Game 4 is proof of that. New York is riding the momentum from that miraculous win, even if they're acting as if the series is still 0-0, and it's up to San Antonio to snatch it back.

Knicks have been unstoppable in closeout playoff games

It took clashing with the Knicks for the Spurs' playoff inexperience to really show, but aside from Atlanta, San Antonio is the only team to beat New York in the playoffs.

And if you asked Mitch Johnson, the Knicks haven't beaten the Spurs, but instead, the Spurs have beaten the Spurs. Stephon Castle echoed a similar sentiment. Going off that, San Antonio needs to not only be the ones to determine Game 5, but to do it a little differently than Games 1, 2, and 4.

Based on what they've said, it seems like they're prepared to do just that. Victor Wembanyama said that "everyone" knows San Antonio will come back from its 3-1 deficit. Castle referred to how the team has responded in previous situations with their backs against the wall.

Keeping their season alive beyond Saturday will be their toughest playoff barrier yet, and yes, that includes beating Oklahoma City on the road in Game 7.

The Knicks have been locked in throughout the postseason, viewing each game as if the series is 0-0. That's still the case, though they're closer than ever to ending their championship drought. New York could be an entirely different beast because of that, putting even more pressure on San Antonio, but that's not something to be afraid of.

The Spurs aren't, but the real talking will take place tomorrow night.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow