The difference between the defending N.B.A. champions and the team that qualifies as their polar opposite seemed remarkably small at times Friday night. But the true gap between the San Antonio Spurs and the Knicks showed up in the final seconds of a tight game that ended the way one would expect.
The Spurs, with four titles in eight years and a wealth of wisdom and savvy players, made the critical plays. The Knicks, whose wisdom is often in question, did not, and took a 97-93 loss, their sixth in a row.
Yet the mood afterward bordered on optimism. For one of the few times in recent weeks, the Knicks (8-23) looked like a team capable of playing respectably. Eddy Curry (25 points and 12 rebounds) dominated inside. Jamal Crawford (24 points) fueled the perimeter game. David Lee had the rebounds (12). Nate Robinson (14 points) provided some late punch.
“I’m extremely proud of the way we came out here and fought and gave a great effort,” Curry said. “This would have been a great game to win out here on the road.” (...)
