The New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs will face off in the NBA Cup finals | Baloncesto | Sporty

The San Antonio Spurs won the campaign in the semifinals of the NBA Cup in Las Vegas and cut the imposing streak of 16 consecutive victories of the Oklahoma City Thunder, current champions of the American league. Thanks to his hard work, he won 109-111 and 22 points in 21 minutes stranger Frenchman Victor Wembanyama, the Texans participated in the grand finale of the season (2:30 a.m., Prime Video) against the New York Knicks, executioners of the Orlando Magic during the Eastern qualifiers with a brilliant 120-132 triumph and MVP corners for Jalen Brunson, author of 40 points.

Los Thunder, favorites to lift the trophy and league title in June, went a month and died without knowing defeat, but won for the second time this season. They started winning by 16 in the first half, but Wemby’s reappearance in the second quarter changed the rules of the game on the field. After 12 games on the squad due to muscular issues, the 2.24 meter wide pivot made an immediate impact between the guys despite limited minutes. It only took 21 to crush as many as 22, new rebounds, assists and tackles, with the best +/- of the match at +21.

San Antonio, which is in fourth place in the West with a record of 18 wins and seven defeats, had surpassed with a score from the periphery without its star (9-3). “Winning against a team may seem like a celebration, but it takes a huge collective effort. It’s not easy at all, and for them it’s only their second loss of the year, so it means something, where we are now and where we will be in the future,” says Wembanyama, as effective with our hands as with our words.

Spurs’ comeback was fueled by the French, but the excellent outside trio proposed by coach Mitch Johnson was executed. Devin Vassell, with 23 points (4 of 9 on triples), was the top scorer for the winners in an effort shared with Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox, both with 22 points at the end of the game. MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s efforts paid off, and his 29 points, four rebounds and five assists fell short this time. A partial 13-0 in favor of San Antonio broke at the gates of rest and on the margin of the champions, who came like another tyrant to 10 of the rival who opposed them at the corners. When he took and finally gave up a last quarter of a multi-kilolate ball, the Texans demonstrated that they were ready to kill the giants of the league.

He’ll take note of his next rivals, the Knicks, who won’t trust him at all despite having the hottest and most experienced team for the deciding game. The franchise has lasted for five decades without cherishing a title, without ever reaching anyone in the end in what we bring to the 21st century. Below the scoring power of Brunson, who in addition to having collected 40 assists against Orlando, New York had powerful arguments with a starting quintet that would delight more than one: Karl-Anthony Towns, 29, is the modern pivot par excellence thanks to his ability to fill three and the main offensive team of the base; luego shares similar traits to OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges, dogs of prey on defense with the ability to strike fear when they play.

Los Magic, with 26 points from Jalen Suggs and 25 from Paolo Banchero, will briefly amaze the first surprise of dawn. In the third quarter, a double-digit discovery was discovered in a pair of open and closed eyes, but the Knicks had cracked the riddle just a week ago and within the last few mistakes. His coach, Mike Brown, wanted to campaign for the MVP title in favor of Brunson. “I’m just telling you the truth, but I’m not giving it enough credit. When you’re first or second in your conference and you have those numbers, your name should be one of the first out of someone’s mouth,” the technician said.

The Knicks, who fell at the gates of the NBA Finals last year, became the main favorites in the East of this course and walked in second place with a record of 18 triumphs and 7 defeats, surpassed only by the Detroit Pistons (20-5). With averages of 28.3 points and 6.3 assists, Brunson is the leading but unlikely MVP among giants like SGA and Nikola Jokic. Since 1980, only Allen Iverson (2001), Steve Nash (2005-06) and Stephen Curry (2015-16) have won this award with their height of 1.88 meters. Last year I was tenth in the voting, halfway like today. Perhaps lifting the cup can help change history.