The Spurs failed to take control of their destiny in New York, losing to the Knicks 102-82 in a game in which a win would have clinched them a spot in the play-in tournament. Ultimately it didn’t matter that they failed to capitalize on their second-half 17-point lead, as a Grizzlies victory over the Kings secured them the chance to fight for a spot in the playoffs.
There was enough at stake to make this game entertaining, but not to make it pretty. With the Knicks fresh off a long trip home from Los Angeles and the Spurs on a SEGABABA, it wasn’t surprising to see some ugly basketball early on.