The San Antonio Spurs (25-12) head to Madison Square Garden for a Tuesday night matchup against the New York Knicks (18-18). It is the second time in six days that the two teams will square off after they met in San Antonio last Thursday.
The Knicks ended their season-long losing streak of four games when they defeated the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday by a score of 105-103. Kristaps Porzingis scored seven clutch points late, Jarrett Jack hit two late free throws to give New York a two-point lead, and Anthony Davis' three-point attempt bounced off the rim at the buzzer handing the Knicks their third road win of the season.
Porzingis led the way with 30 points, Jarrett Jack scored 15 with seven assists, and Michael Beasley added 15 off the bench.
San Antonio's three-game winning streak came crashing to a halt via the Detroit Pistons who beat them on Saturday, 93-79. The Spurs' ugly performance saw them shoot just 36.9 percent from the field and 19.2 percent from deep. Kawhi Leonard led the team with 18 points and LaMarcus Aldridge chipped in with 15.
Spurs/Knicks starters (projected)
Spurs: PG - Tony Parker, SG - Danny Green, SF - Kawhi Leonard, PF - LaMarcus Aldridge, C - Pau Gasol
Knicks: PG - Jarrett Jack, SG - Courtney Lee, SF - Lance Thomas, PF - Kristaps Porzingis, C - Enes Kanter
Leaders
Spurs: Points - LaMarcus Aldridge 22.0, Rebounds - LaMarcus Aldridge 8.4, Assists - Pau Gasol 3.3 (Tony Parker 4.1 in 14 games)
Knicks: Points - Kristaps Porzingis 24.5, Rebounds - Enes Kanter 10.3, Assists - Jarrett Jack 6.0
Players who are injured
Spurs: Out - Rudy Gay (heel)
Knicks: Out - Tim Hardaway Jr.
(leg)
Tidbits for Tuesday's game
The Knicks will look to avoid their first two-game home losing streak of the season. They lost to the Philadelphia 76ers on Christmas in their most recent game at Madison Square Garden. They currently own a 15-6 record in home outings.
New York ranks just 24th, out of 30 teams entering Monday, attempting 20.0 free throws per game.
They are going against a San Antonio team that averages the least personal fouls per game (17.1) and second-least free throw attempts allowed to the opposition (18.2).
Kawhi Leonard dominated the Knicks in his two outings against them last season (missed last Thursday's game to rest). In the two games, he totaled 65 points on 53.3 percent shooting from the field, grabbed 14 rebounds, dished out nine assists, and came up with five steals.
How the two teams have fared against each other
The Knicks and Spurs have met 90 times in the regular season with San Antonio holding a 51-39 advantage in the win column.
Last Thursday, the Spurs won in San Antonio over New York by the score of 119-107. San Antonio shot 51.3 percent from the field and out-attempted the Knicks 39-22 from the charity stripe.
The two teams split their two-game season series in 2016-17 with both teams winning on their home court. The Spurs swept the series in 2015-16, but New York and San Antonio also split in 2014-15 and 2013-14.
New York won the last matchup at home and have won four of the last six played at Madison Square Garden against the Spurs.
