The Knicks already did the hard part. Now comes the harder one.
After stealing Game 1 in San Antonio, New York will try to take full control of the NBA Finals on Friday night when it faces the Spurs in Game 2.
It was a team effort in the series opener, but Karl-Anthony Towns’ all-around impact stood out in exactly the kind of game the Knicks needed to muck up.
Towns did not need to carry the scoring load, instead making his presence felt on the glass, as a passer, and on the defensive end, while helping the Knicks pull away late in the fourth quarter.
It’s something he’s done this entire postseason, and especially during the Knicks’ 12-game winning streak, averaging 10.6 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game over this ridiculous stretch.
It doesn’t appear Victor Wembanyama’s defense is stopping him either, having pulled down 12 rebounds and dished out four assists with the 7-foot-5 center in his face for most of the game.
Oddsmakers still don’t appear to be buying this transformed Towns, who hasn’t scored more than 20 points in a game, focusing his efforts elsewhere, during the winning streak.
Towns’ rebounds plus assists line is sitting at just 14.5 at most major sportsbooks 24 hours before tip off in San Antonio on Friday.
He’s surpassed that line in all but three games since the Knicks’ last loss.
Just three wins away from an NBA title, there’s no reason to believe Towns’ unselfish play is going to flip now.
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That kind of performance from Towns could be even more valuable in Game 2, with the Knicks trying to drag the Spurs into another physical, half-court game rather than letting Wembanyama and Co. dictate the pace.
Look for Towns to continue doing the dirty work as the Knicks aim to build a 2.0 series lead.
The play: Karl-Anthony Towns to have more than 14.5 rebounds + assists (-120, bet365 Sportsbook)
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Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He’s particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.
