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@nyknicks That said, it still took a big three from Castle and a clutch middy from Fox to seal the deal.

This series’ average margin of victory is 5. Despite the 2-0 lead, this has always felt like a tight series that would hinge on a handful of moments.

See you for the next batch.

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NBA Finals - Game 3
San Antonio 115 New York 111
(NYK Leads 2-1)

MSG’s first Finals game in 27 years carried an unprecedented price tag, a star-studded cast, and expectations of coronation.

🧵 Here’s how the @spurs bucked the script and pulled themselves off the mat:

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@nyknicks During his postgame interview, Stephon Castle said if they could get Wemby rolling with easy buckets, they’re hard to beat.

The Spurs showed us why, keeping the Knicks at bay for most of the 4th by simplifying Wemby’s looks.

https://t.co/JHyvNDCtHu

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@ryenarussillo I was waiting for you to reveal that Madami dropped the burrito on you.

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https://t.co/Im70s3cbTS

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Aday Mara:

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@TheDunkCentral @NBA__Courtside She ain’t gonna elect you, bro.

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@barstoolsports The enviable Thunder culture the moment it faces any hardship:

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(21-9 run to tie the game at 104*)

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NBA Finals - Game 2
New York 105 San Antonio 104
(NYK Leads 2-0)

Wemby’s late turnover will be the lasting image, but The Alien’s pedestrian defense allowed the @nyknicks to continuously curb the @spurs momentum, hang around, and steal another win.

🧵 Here’s what stood out:

[Driving Baseline @DrivingBaseline]

This isn’t on Castle.

If you’re the guy, be the guy.

Castle didn’t expect the ball because he knows that, while crucial to the @spurs success, he’s not the guy.

That was Wemby’s moment and he sidestepped it—and if he continues to shy from his greatness, this series is done.

[Driving Baseline @DrivingBaseline]

At the risk of sounding like a Wemby hater—which I am certainly not—here are two instances of him playing with big-man aggression.

And wouldn’t you know it? These plays were part of a late 14-2 run that helped the Spurs tie the game at 97 with just under 3:00 remaining.

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SIDE NOTE:

There’s been no shortage of praise but Dylan Harper, man.

His finishing at the rim has been basically automatic in this series (91.6%).

I still like him coming off the bench, but Mitch Johnson should see him as a comparable late-game option to Wemby—perhaps more so.

[Driving Baseline @DrivingBaseline]

Then, the regression to settling for a contested mid-range shot for the game.

Robinson is a stout defender but he’s on the elbow. Wemby HAS to drive here for a floater or, at least, a chance to create contact.