How The Spurs Can Flip The NBA Finals Against The Knicks

We break down why the Spurs’ one-point Game 2 loss to the Knicks hurts so much, then map out what has to change for a Game 3 swing. We keep it real about late-game execution, turnovers, and why this feels like a must-win if San Antonio wants any path back into the NBA Finals. 
• Game 2’s final seconds and the turnover that flips everything 
• Why going down 0-3 is the nightmare scenario 
• Winning the turnover battle as the clearest key 
• How home comfort helps New York and pressures young teams 
• Spurs lineup ideas, including more size and two-big minutes 
• Players we need more from, including Wembanyama support scoring 
• Knicks vets and why Brunson steadies crunch time 
• Rivalries and connections that make the series fun 
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Transcript

Welcome And Quick Housekeeping

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What's up everybody? It's your favorite show, it's favorite show, get a bucket. I'm your host, Train as usual. Hope you're all having a wonderful, wonderful day. Now, today we're gonna talk about game three in the NBA Finals for the Spurs and Knicks. But before we do that, please make sure to hit that like and subscribe button. Comment on anyone who's anyone about the show. Trying to get the ratings up a little bit, you know, just a little bit. And if you wonder where you heard this before, well, that's good. You've been listening to me Monday through Friday at 11 o'clock AM Eastern Standard Time. So I greatly appreciate

Game 2 Loss That Stings

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your support. Now, game three predictions. Yeah. I said last time game two, Spurs had to win. Not even necessarily had, but I I predicted them to win. And they almost did. Just too bad, you know, this ain't horseshoes or grenades. Close only matters in them type of sports. I guess cornhole too, a little bit. But that's the point is it don't count that much in basketball. So them losing 105 to 104, it hurts. But it also hurts how they lost too. Because at the end of the game, 12 seconds left, Victor Womenyama gets a turnover. Kind of unnecessary, too. Because he's trying to pass the ball to Stefan Castle, who has been Castle was looking back at Victim Women Yama to try to get the ball. Vic didn't want to throw it. Then as soon as Stefan Castle turns his head to look forward to go to, you know, actually play basketball, then Wimby wants to throw the dag on basketball. So you lose the basketball, but that's okay because guess what? The Knicks end up giving you another possession, another chance. Jalen Brunson gets fouled. He only goes one of one of two from the free throw line. Pretty solid free throw shooter, misses one. You got an opportunity to still win the game. And they end up losing it. Like it was, it was it was very heartbreaking. Very heartbreaking if you're a Spurs fan. So respectfully, it just, you know, it's very easy, high level. You have to win game three or else you go down 3-0 and nobody's come back to win after being down 0-3. I understand Wimby is is is great, right? I understand this this Spurs team is pretty spectacular. Ladies and gentlemen, it's a tall task to come back down 0-3.

Why Game 3 Is Must-Win

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Unless we want to say that, you know, the NBA is trying to script write it so that Vic comes back, and we can add this to his resume for the GOAT discussion later on. Yeah, you need game three. So how do you win game three if you're the Spurs?

Turnovers And Late-Game Execution

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Well, games one and two, you did not win the turnover battle, meaning you turned the ball over more than the Knicks. And you were at your own house, too. That's the thing, ladies and gentlemen. When you're at your own house, you're comfortable. When you go to someone else's house, you you you might not be as comfortable. Because again, you're at your house. Like your favorite place in the world should be your house. Your favorite gym to hoop at should be at your house. That's like that's just common sense. So you losing the way you did at your house makes your task tougher. And keep in mind, too, the the the Spurs are relatively young, right? Fairly, fairly inexperienced. I think Harrison Barnes might be the Harrison Barnes and Darren Fox are the only players with I guess Luke Cornet, too, are the players with real championship experience. I'm not I'm not gonna talk about Bismack Miambo or Mason Plumley, you know what I'm saying? Because they're not playing right now on Ford. Kelly Olnick, they're not really playing right now. You got a couple vets. Knicks out here, they're going to their home. They're playing extremely comfortable. Yes, there's gonna be some pressure because they are at home, to be clear. But they're gonna be comfortable. Their role players should be playing comfortably. So again, if I'm the Knicks, you're definitely in the Cat Burst C, but you gotta put the pedal to the metal. You gotta keep your foot on their necks. You have to. Because if you can't, hey, this Spurs team is they're talented enough to come back. So game three, I'm expecting Spurs. Game four, I'm expecting Spurs. And I'm not just saying this because I want to see more basketball. That is part of the reason, to be clear. But I do think the Spurs have figured out something. Remember, they won, or they yeah, they were winning the majority of game one. Game two, they showed they at least keep the game close. They went up again. They at least keep the game close. They know how to do so. It's just now, well, there's a particular quarter where they kind of lose it. And I'm talking about in good fashion, too. The other quarters, they they typically are either winning or it's the close quarter. There's just one quarter that they just can't seem to grasp. Game one, it was quarter four. Game two, it was quarter two. So again, ladies and gentlemen, the Spurs have the talent to beat the Knicks, and I'm expecting them to do so. If not, well, I mean, you gotta look at players like Jalen Brunson, Carl Anthony Towns, OG Ananobi, Mikhail Bridges, these experienced vets, they've been playing pretty well. And also, too, to keep in mind, I think this is gonna add to players trying to play with their college teammates a little more often. Just, you know, I like especially because they're winning, that's gonna be a narrative, that's gonna be a storyline for people to try to do. I think that can be interesting, and it's a nice tie-in to the college game. But again, we still got some more basketball. It's only two games in. Knicks still gotta win two more. Spurs gotta win one at least, like just to get on the board. So, ladies and gentlemen, I'm curious, do you all believe that the Spurs will win game one? I mean game three for their first game, or will the Knicks win it? Because I'm really pulling for the Spurs right now, bro. Because I'm telling you right now, I do I hate to hear that the Knicks fans are gonna have an entire year bragging rights. I'm not liking it. Pineapples. Also, look, the Spurs have not been playing

Lineup Tweaks And Rebounding Edge

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their best basketball. Okay, De'Aaron Fox, you had a good game last time. I I do kind of prefer the playmaker. I need you to score a little bit, right? Like a decent amount for sure. But I need to see Vic have a good game. Julian have a Julian Champagne have a good game, Devin Vassel having a good game. Like it needs to be a team-collected effort across the board. And that means that someone's playmaking is gonna have to stand out over their scoring. Dylan Harper, you've been playing pretty well. I like the idea. I love the team that the Spurs have, ladies and gentlemen. I would like to see Luke Cornette be a little bit more impactful and effective. Because, you know, he is a seven-footer. Should be able to give some help for Vic. Hell, I might even want to see Luke and Vic on the floor a little more often. Just because you got these trigger-happy wings on the Spurs. Like, why can't we see a Julian Champagny, Devin Vassell, Victor Wimanyama, Luke Cornette, and then you get in Stefan Castle or Dylan Harper or De'Aaron Fox. You can keep the rim protection consistent. Vic can float around on perimeter or def or the interior. And let's be clear too, against this Knicks team, you should be able to win the rebound advantage. Because you would have the taller players. Whether it's Jalen Brunson, whether it's well, Landry is 6'5, he's a little different. But Jose Alvarado, you can get the rebound advantage that way. So you can also scheme a little bit differently from the Spurs. It's time to switch it up just a little bit. Again, the Spurs have been winning. But there's always one quarter that they can't get over that hump. So it's it's it's a 48-minute game. And again, like I said, the Spurs have the talent. They just need a collective team effort to get this done. The Knicks have been playing some good basketball this playoffs. I can't deny it, unfortunately.

Rivalries Storylines And Final Picks

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And I also appreciate the many rivalries that we have within this Knicks-Spurs matchup. Again, going back to 1999. Then we got here, who is it, Jose Alvarado versus Julian Champagne. Like that's a nice little storyline that we can follow as well, too, because there were rivals in high school back in the day. Also keep in mind, too, although he has not touched the floor yet, Jeremy Sokan. He he playing, he, you know, he's on the Knicks right now. He used to be, matter of fact, he got drafted by the Spurs. He was just waived by them not too long ago. So again, ladies and gentlemen, we got some connections between these two. So it's an entertaining series for sure. Let's just make sure to add some more entertainment, Spurs, because yeah, a 62-20 regular season record can't go down 3-0. Because if I'm the if I'm the Knicks, then I'm looking to make this a sweep personally. And I'm I'm still looking to make this a sweep. Spurs, you gotta take this away from them. You have to. You have to get back home court advantage at minimum. Tie to get series up. But ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I'm curious who you all got for game three. I already told you my predictions for game three and four. I already told you what the Knicks or what the Spurs need to do to win game three, and that's to win the turnover battle. Keep in mind, that's the main thing, like the main knock against them is their turnovers. Because game one, they didn't shoot the best. Cool, heard you. They were still in the lead for the majority of the game. Game two, they shot better. Problem again was they did not win the turnover battle. They've been four or five turnovers away, meaning they've had more than that against the Knicks. So again, you gotta fix that, ladies and gentlemen. But that that's what the Spurs gotta do. They gotta turn the ball over less. Knicks, we've already seen what they need to do. Keep doing what they're doing. It's that simple. And if they can keep doing that, guess what? Then they're they're they're in the cat bird seat, and maybe they win game three. But who do you all lean? Who do you all expect? Who do you all want to win? I'm here. I'm curious your thoughts. But, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, that does conclude the end of the episode. So please make sure to like, subscribe, comment, tell anyone who's anyone about the show. My name is Trey. I'm the host of Get a Bucket. I hope you're all having a good one. Take care.