How will Knicks handle Spurs' physicality in Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden?

Well, we’ve been doing these lookahead items throughout the postseason, but really, even after covering the NBA for about 35 years, I’ve never seen anything like what we’re expecting Monday night at Madison Square Garden.

Combine a fan base hungry for the Knicks’ first title in 53 years with the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game, and the atmosphere will be crazy. But the Knicks are trying to ignore the noise and focus on building on the two-games-to-none lead they brought home from San Antonio.

Let’s get physical

The Spurs tried hard to be the aggressor Friday night in Game 2, roughing up Jalen Brunson almost from the opening tip. Bodies were flying, there were nose-to-nose confrontations and frustration tosses of players (Victor Wembanyama threw Jose Alvarado and somehow no foul was called), and a technical foul was called as Mitchell Robinson and Wembanyama jockeyed for position (only Robinson got a technical, and that was rescinded a day later).

“But that’s kind of what you expect from a team obviously in the Finals,” said Josh Hart, who was one of two Knicks with five fouls in Game 2 (he picked them up in only 18 minutes). “They lost Game 1, so you knew they were going to come out with physicality and a sense of urgency and desperation. I feel like we did a pretty good job in that regard, but we can do better.”

Brunson burning

Brunson has come up with clutch buckets for the Knicks down the stretch, both in the comeback in Game 1 and in surviving after they blew a 14-point lead in Game 2. However, he has shot 19-for-56 in the two games — uncharacteristic but understandable struggles with the Spurs trying to get physical with him and sending double-teams and blitzes at him as soon as he crosses midcourt.

But history tells you that sooner or later, Brunson is going to do Brunson things. While he’s averaging 25 points per game through the two games, expect a more efficient scoring night on Monday in a return to Madison Square Garden.  

Secret weapon

The Knicks have kept Karl-Anthony Towns in place as the primary defender against Wembanyama through the first two games because, well, he’s done a really good job. But if the Spurs come up with a new way to get Wembanyama more involved, figure the Knicks will turn to OG Anunoby at times to take the assignment.

Anunoby historically has been the best defender in the NBA against Wembanyama despite giving up nine inches (at least), utilizing his strength and smarts to keep the 7-4 superstar from getting to his preferred spots.

By Steve Popper

steve.popper@newsday.com@StevePopper

Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.