Bing Bong. Next stop Penn Station.
After the New York Knicks surprisingly took both games in San Antonio, the Finals head to MSG in NYC. I used to live at the old YMCA on 34th and 9th, right down the street, so I can only imagine how bonkers it must be and will be on Monday night.
The atmosphere is going to be insane and how will a young Spurs team manage? Especially since there were moments when they got rattled at home. The Knicks have been calm, cool and collected in the first two games of the series, whether up 12, down 12 or tied in crunch time, despite the Spurs playing tough, physical defense and making adjustments.
But Mike Brown has been up to the task, having answers to all the adjustments. So far. The Knicks coaching staff has been prepared for every contingency all playoffs long. Can they continue the alchemy?
DraftKings Sportsbook lists New York as a 2.5-point favorite over San Antonio, with the total set at 215.5 points.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Showdown $800K Finals Shootaround [$200K to 1st] (SAS at NYK)
Captain’s Picks
Devin Vassell ($9,000 CP): Vassell has been so consistent during these playoffs, putting up over 20 FPTS in all but one contest with six over 30 and two over 40 FPTS. He’s attempted double-digit shots in all but five contests and he should continue getting plenty of good looks as defenses focus on Wembanyama and the other paint-attacking guards. He’s a very good defender and racks up his share of stocks. He also skies for rebounds and dishes out a fair share of assists. He played 36 and 38 minutes in the first two games (minutes are half the battle) and grabbed nine rebounds in both contests. His price tag always has more flexibility and upside in regards to roster construction.
UTIL Plays
Landry Shamet ($4,400): Shamet has good size at 6-foot-5, 190 pounds and converted 39% of his hoists from downtown during the regular season. During this playoff run, he’s shooting a blistering 56% from beyond the arc. This is obviously unsustainable over the long haul and regression is going to come, but that doesn’t mean it has to happen in the next two games. It could but he’s feeling too good right now and should continue getting good looks due to the offensive movement and gravity that both Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns provide. Most importantly, he’s played 30 and 33 minutes so far in this series. His ability to space the floor is too valuable right now.
Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,600): The Spurs have had no answer for Towns this series. Towns is too good of a shooter to leave open, so switching screens to prevent him from picking-and-popping is a must. Unfortunately, that often leaves him with a smaller player down low, and he’s been punishing that matchup with easy lobs and offensive rebounds. His passing acumen has also been on display as an offensive hub. The Spurs made adjustments to guarding Brunson, and have been mostly successful. The answer to the Towns problem has not been shown yet. Towns put up 41.5 and 49.2 FPTS in the first two games, stuffing the stat sheet. I don’t see that changing.
Julian Champagnie ($6,200): Champagnie didn’t have a great Game 2, shooting only 2-of-6 from the field, ending with 17.5 FPTS. He did play 36 minutes, though, and like both Vassell and Shamet, he has good size so he isn’t a liability on defense while being able to space the floor on offense. He went for 36 FPTS in Game 1 and does have 40 FPTS upside when he gets hot. In a regular season game against the Knicks in December, Champagnie put up 50.5 FPTS.
Fades
Dylan Harper ($5,800): Harper has been great this series. His size and skill have allowed him to get into the paint almost at will while doing work on the glass. He put up 29.5 and 28 FPTS in the first two games but I think we may see him in the upper teens for this one. For starters, Harper is mature beyond his years but I’m not sure he’s ready for what MSG has to offer in this one. Harper is also shooting 1-for-7 from downtown in the series. Adjustments will likely be made to make Harper more of a shooter while cutting off the paint for him. There were times when Brunson got switched on him, but not sure that happens as frequently in this one. Finally, Harper played 32 minutes in Game 2. That was an increase of four minutes from Game 1, but that increase was a result of Stephon Castle being in foul trouble and tweaking his ankle.
The Outcome
The Knicks are on an epic heater and, quite frankly, have been the better team so far in the series. The MSG crowd will provide an energy boost that may be too difficult for the Spurs to overcome.
Final Score: Knicks 102, Spurs 97
