ROMA (ITALPRESS) – The New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs will compete in the final of the third edition of NBA Cup. This is the verdict of the semi-finals on stage at night, where the Knicks beat the Orlando Magic, while the Spurs set the Oklahoma City Thunder. From the last act that will be played on the Italian night between Tuesday and Wednesday, then, will be released the third different winner in three years, after Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks.
In the first semi-final at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, home to the game that will pass the title, Jalen Brunson was an absolute slaughterer with a 40-point (maximum seasonal) and 8-assisted performance, supported by the 29-point (and 8 rebounds) of Karl-Anthony Towns and by the 24 OG Anunoby. In a game that continues to overwhelm and win over the score, to be decisive was a partial of 0-10 for the Knicks in the third quarter. And this is precisely the part where Orlando must do without Jalen Suggs, left for a pain in the left hip after, until then, he had made 26 points and 7 assists. There were 25 points of Paolo Banchero, who also recorded 8 rebounds, but were not enough for the Magicians.
In the second game, instead, there is a sort of taboo in Las Vegas for Oklahoma City, which, after losing in the final last year, this time come out a turn before despite being in a moment of amazing form, with sixteen consecutive wins. Beyond the usual Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, author of 29 points, there is little else; a fact that weighs like a swan in the defeat for 109-111 is 9/37 by three, a night stunned by the arch that also concerned the Canadian (1/7). The Spurs take advantage of it and, by virtue of partials, they first remit in the game after a complicated start and then move forward. There are four players above 20 points, namely Devin Vassell (23), De’Aaron Fox (22) and Stephon Castle (22), but above all Victor Wembanyama, who returns after twelve games and turns double to the bench with 22 points and 9 rebounds.
– Photos: Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
