A noon tip-off time for Sunday’s game in New York between the Spurs and the Knicks is far from normal by NBA standards, but it’s beginning to appear as though we might be able to count on performances like the one we saw from the home team in this one.
San Antonio was ready from the start, while the Knicks never did seem to rise to the occasion.
The Spurs led by as many as 37 points before settling for a 120-89 victory that was as lopsided statistically as it was on the scoreboard. San Antonio shot almost 54 percent from the field while holding the Knicks under 38 percent, and beat New York on the glass by a 51-33 margin.
Afterward, the Knicks weren’t exactly full of excuses, and instead largely just admitted to not bothering to show up.
From the Associated Press:
Embarrassing is an apt description, and the Spurs added a little bit more of it when they had Tim Duncan -- a career 69.3 percent free throw shooter -- head to the line in the third quarter after Mike Woodson was whistled for a technical foul. Duncan, of course, calmly sank the shot.
The Knicks are just 2-4 now to start the season, while the Spurs remain one of the league’s best after improving their record to 6-1. New York doesn’t need to panic just yet, as the team has been close in its other three losses. But bringing a complete lack of effort to any game is certainly cause for concern.