The San Antonio Spurs are fighting for their survival on Saturday night against the New York Knicks, in Game 5 of the NBA FinalsThe game will begin at 2:30 a.m. French time. It will be broadcast live on Amazon Prime Video and NBA League Pass, then available on delay on beIN Sports starting at noon the following day. Trailing 3-1 in the series, the Spurs are now facing elimination. Another loss would hand the title to the Knicks, who haven't won an NBA championship since 1973.
The Knicks have overcome the impossible
New York arrives on a roll after a wild Game 4 victory at Madison Square Garden. Down by 29 points, the Knicks staged one of the greatest comebacks in NBA Finals history to win 107-106. Jalen Brunson once again led the way with 36 points, but the hero of the night was OG Anunoby. Scoring 33 points on 10-of-15 shooting, the British-Nigerian forward hit the game-winning basket with 1,2 seconds remaining, giving New York a victory that could prove crucial in the title race.
The Spurs' black hole
San Antonio had everything it needed to turn the game around. The Spurs delivered a high-level first half, thanks in particular to impressive outside shooting, making 14 of 26 three-pointers. But what followed was a nightmare. The Texans scored only 30 points in the final two quarters, a symbol of a brutal collective collapse. Too reliant on the three-point shot, they ended up getting stuck in a predictable pattern of play when they needed to control the game.
Wembanyama expected to deliver a crucial performance
Victor Wembanyama finished Game 4 with 24 points, but his shooting was a significant factor in the loss: 9-for-25 from the field, including 2-for-8 from three-point range. The Frenchman remains the Spurs' primary weapon, but San Antonio will need a more controlled performance from their leader to extend the series.
New York can conclude
The Knicks now have three chances to clinch the title. Their advantage is clear, and their confidence is immense after two road wins in this series. San Antonio, on the other hand, must immediately recover from its massive slump. Game 5 could either revive the Spurs or crown New York champions after more than half a century of waiting.
