The Spurs had their strongest period at Madison Square Garden in the third quarter when they pulled away to 75:58 (33rd min.). But the Knicks countered immediately, shortened to 73:77 from their point of view by the end of the section and ultimately narrowly prevailed.
“After a poor first half (46:43 for New York, note), we ran hot in the third quarter and played a high lead. But they (the Knicks, note) came back quickly and created a lot of open threesomes and Nevertheless, we are now firmly in the play-in tournament and still have the chance of the play-offs, “summed up Pöltl, who was part of the Spurs’ starting line-up for the 50th time this season.
After two now meaningless home games against the Phoenix Suns at the end of the NBA regular season on Saturday and Sunday, the Texans will play in next week’s play-in against the Memphis Grizzlies or the Golden State Warriors. In case of victory, the Los Angeles Lakers could wait.
“You can compare it to a game seven in the play-offs. It will definitely be a tough fight,” said Pöltl with regard to the play-in. He “doesn’t really care who the opponent is. We’ll take it as it comes,” said the 25-year-old. The possible opponent Memphis ended the hopes of the team from the capital of California with a 116: 110 against the Sacramento Kings.
The duel between the Phoenix Suns and the Portland Trail Blazers offered 25 changes in leadership, and it was drawn 18 times. In the end, the hosts from Arizona prevailed by a wafer-thin 118: 117 and kept their chance to go into the play-off as number one in the league. Devin Booker made the decision with two converted free throws with 2.4 seconds remaining.
NBA-Ergebnisse vom Donnerstag: New York Knicks – San Antonio Spurs (8 Punkte, 9 Rebounds, 3 Blocks in 34:16 Minuten von Jakob Pöltl) 102:98, Charlotte Hornets – L.A. Clippers 90:113, Indiana Pacers – Milwaukee Bucks 133:142, Atlanta Hawks – Orlando Magic 116:93, Miami Heat – Philadelphia 76ers 106:94, Memphis Grizzlies – Sacramento Kings 116:110, Chicago Bulls – Toronto Raptors 114:102, Minnesota Timberwolves – Denver Nuggets 103:114, Phoenix Suns – Portland Trail Blazers 118:117.
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