Knicks stifle streaking Spurs with 'high-level' defense - ESPN

NEW YORK — New York Knicks coach Mike Brown couldn't pinpoint whether Sunday was the Knicks' best defensive performance of the season — but it certainly felt like it.

Not only did the Knicks snap the San Antonio Spurs' 11-game winning streak in a rematch of the NBA Cup final from Las Vegas, but they held the Spurs to a season-low output in a 114-89 win.

Expect for the first few minutes, when the Spurs took an early 12-point lead, the Knicks were dominant throughout, their latest strong performance over the past week or so. Brown admitted the defense was «high level.»

«Even the games we haven't scored a lot of points, like at Chicago and then Houston, our defense has gotten better,» Brown said. «We had five guys on a string,»

The Knicks shut down Houston in the fourth quarter a week ago in a dramatic comeback and gave up 99 points to Chicago on the road before losing decisively to Cleveland.

Sunday's performance makes the Knicks' loss to the Cavaliers look like an anomaly, at least for now. In the past month, the Knicks are fifth in defensive rating (107 points per 100 possessions).

The Spurs shot 50% and nearly 38% from 3-point range in February, their best offensive month of the season — and the Knicks simply smothered them at Madison Square Garden, holding them to just 26.5% from 3.

Victor Wembanyama had 42 points and 18 rebounds in his first visit to Madison Square Garden last Christmas Day, but was held to 25 points and 13 rebounds. He committed seven of the Spurs 22 turnovers.

Brown said the Knicks weren't going to change much of what they've been doing defensively just for Wembanyama, and they stayed out of foul trouble for most of the day.

«Obviously, he's an extremely talented individual, but you know for us, we