Wilson Chandler's emergence as a key third option on offense has helped the Knicks renaissance this season. The Knicks took care of business last night against the San Antonio Spurs, owner of the NBA's best record at 29-5, earning the best win of the Mike D'Antoni era. The Spurs, renowned for their defense, could not stop the Knicks' high octane offense. The Knicks were able to control the tempo all night, playing an uptempo style that suits D'Antoni's system. Popovich and the Spurs have historically dominated D'Antoni's teams in the playoffs, but D'Antoni's was never able to get up and down for 48 minutes, like the Knicks did tonight, when he coached the Suns in the postseason against San Antonio.
In a strange move, Popovich pulled Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker with three minutes remaining and the Spurs down a manageable ten points. But, the Knicks were playing with so much energy and passion that it wouldn't have mattered whether he stayed with his big three players. Instead, Popovich decided to pack his bags, rest his stars, and live to fight another day against Boston tonight.
The Knicks now face a tough west coast trip with games against LA, Utah, and Portland. It will be a great test for the Knicks to see how they size up against the elite teams in the Western Conference.
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