Spurs top LaMelo's Knicks @MSG, 93-86.

The Knicks lost control, eventually.

In the wake of the Philadelphia 76ers snapping the 10-Game win streak, the San Antonio Spurs looked low in spirit and abysmally low in perimeter scoring for one half of basketball, losing 18-26 then 18-21 to the young-blood Knickerbockers led by LaMelo Ball (7 points, 9 assists, 2-8 FG) & Blake Griffin (21 points).

Then the 3rd Quarter erupted, as the Spurs won it big 31-13, going on to stalemate New York 26-26 in the final quarter to succeed at the comeback dream in the Garden tonight. Kevin Knox, II had 15 points and DeMarcus Cousins scored 12. Mitchell Robinson yanked down 16 rebounds, but R.J. Barrett (#9) shot just 3-9 as the Knicks struggled from 3PT territory. Ex-Buck, Sterling Brown, shot a cold 1-7 to boot.

For the Spurs, cranking up the defensive pressure worked wonders led by Brandon Ingram (23 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals). Dejounte Murray had 18 points. P.J. Tucker buried a 3-PT dagger late, scoring 11 overall. Filling out the rest, Kent Bazemore & Luka Samanic combined for 17 points, despite a cold night by Joe Harris. Both teams shot under 45%, but the Spurs made twice as many 3PT shots, notching 13 steals as the Spurs Way totally disrupted the on-court flow of the young-and-gun Knicks.

Finals Rematch: 76ers win showdown as Spurs lose Drummond, 95-98 in Philly.

Joel Embiid dominated the glass.

Update: Spurs medical staff diagnoses sprained left wrist for Andre Drummond (C), expected to miss 3-5 games.

There was a buzz in the Brotherly air tonight, but the injury bug bit Andre Drummond (6 points, 10 rebounds, 16 minutes), a dark spot in an otherwise epic Finals grudge match and likely preview come this April.

Before the ugly sight of Drummond tussling with Embiid onto the hardwood after a missed shot attempt and subsequently falling onto his wrist, the Spurs edged the Sixers after quarter one, 28-27. Philly would strike back, 17-22, in the second. The second half was scored, 23-24 (PHI) and 27-25 (SAS), with the 76ers ultimately holding on for the cathartic victory after a 1-4 Finals defeat, despite winning both meetings in last year's regular season.

The Spurs valiantly fought to the bitter end without their newest, best weapon to contend with Embiid's towering presence (19 points, 23 rebounds, 4 blocks) and Ben Simmons' continual growth as the leader of the 76ers (15 points, 10 assists). They trailed by as many as 13 points, but weathered the storm until Embiid missed 1 of 2 at the free throw line. Down by three, Coach Pop drew up a play for a wing 3-PTer for Brandon Ingram (22 points, 7-24 FG), only for Al Horford (6 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block) to showcase his defensive value by intercepting the pass to the buzzer's liking. Philadelphia's mountainous physicality caused fits for Ingram & Murray all game long, as San Antonio''s point guard tallied a quiet 13 points (despite 10 assists) on 6-17 shots. By night's end, Jarrett Allen--who normally answers the call when Drummond has sat out games--came up small with only 2 points & 8 rebounds, on the giving end of too many mistakes by the Spurs to win this one.

The Rest:
Kent Bazemore scored 18 points, hitting a trio of perimeter shots in the 1st Quarter. Fred VanVleet was sharp, knocking down five threes, scoring 17 points. Joe Harris buried five as well for 15 points, but missed in the clutch during San Antone's few chances to seize control back to their side.

Tobias Harris had 14 points; Shake Milton looked good in his new starting SG role with 12 points. Clint Capela, supporting Embiid off the bench, had 10 points & 9 rebounds. #20 pick, A.J. Lawson, scored 10 points, smashing down a highlight reel dunk. This rivalry has only just begun.

Bazemore, Allen lead Spurs past Cavaliers, 95-100.

Darius Garland & the Cavs lost a close one tonight.

After the huge win over Utah, the Spurs once again deployed load management for its star trio, leaving victory responsibilities to Kent Bazemore (22 points) and Jarrett Allen (22 rebounds, 4 blocks) with Fred VanVleet (17 points, 6 assists) lighting the way for them. Luka Samanic had a nice 13 points, hitting three deep blows against the young Cleveland roster.

Point guard prospect, Malcolm Cazalon, dueled with Darius Garland for stretches, finishing with 11 points, as Garland notched 23 points with 7 assists. Terry Rozier, III, had 16 points for Cleveland, on a chilly 6-15 night. Domatas Sabonis scored 10 points, 11 rebounds with Cedi Osman splashing in 11. Lottery pick, Matthew Hurt, grabbed 11 rebounds with Malik Monk going 2-10 overall.

Cleveland benefited from a hot start, but San Antonio edged close only losing the 1st Quarter 20-26, and responding largely to win the 3rd Quarter, 21-31. Both teams struggled to shoot well, below 50%, but the Spurs had more control with only four turnovers as a squad.