The most expensive game in history, the Spurs keep the suspense alive

Game 3 of the NBA Finals, no matter who wins or loses, will be remembered forever. Ticket prices have surged since the Knicks secured their Finals spot, with the least expensive seat costing over $10,000. Additionally, Trump's presence at the arena today made this game the most heavily guarded in history.

The final result: the Spurs won on the road, narrowing the series to 2-1 in favor of the Knicks. The Spurs not only kept the Finals悬念 alive but also ended the Knicks' 13-game winning streak in the playoffs.

A 2-1 lead accurately reflects the normal gap in strength between the two teams. If the series had become 3-0, it would have been too embarrassing for fans who insist that the West is stronger than the East.

Today, the Spurs once again got off to a strong start and did almost everything right. Wembanyama didn't hover around the perimeter but stayed in the paint from the opening tip, starting with 4-for-4 shooting. The Spurs controlled turnovers and hit three-pointers, quickly building a double-digit lead.

Including today, the Spurs have taken a double-digit lead in all three games and have dominated from the start. Today, they came out with high intensity, and the referees encouraged such physical play. The lead official, Mark Davis, who also refereed the Western Conference Finals Game 7, is known for allowing physical contact.

A single picture sums up the referees' first-half officiating. In the image below, no fouls were called. The biggest confrontation of the entire Finals so far broke out today, fueled by the officials' leniency.

The Knicks trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half but ended up leading by 7 at halftime. They matched the Spurs' intensity and exploded for a 42-point second quarter. The Knicks' resilience has been proven time and again—they only get tougher under pressure.

However, the game took an interesting turn in the second half, as the referees suddenly changed their approach and tightened the whistle. Physical contact that was allowed in the first half drew frequent fouls in the second, creating a completely disjointed game. Regardless of which team benefited, such inconsistent officiating was frustrating for fans.

Both teams played well in the third quarter. A key turning point came in the fourth quarter when the Knicks were called for three fouls in one minute. With less than three minutes left in the period, the Knicks were already in the penalty. The result was a 24-8 free-throw disparity in the second half. Knicks head coach Mike Brown complained after the game:

"I never imagined I'd be coaching in the NBA Finals and see the opponent shoot 24 free throws in the second half while we only got 8. The Spurs are indeed a strong team. If they get 24 free throws to our 8 again in Game 4, our chances of winning drop significantly. We might have fouled, but so did they."

The Spurs controlled the tempo in the second half and never let the Knicks come back. Of course, Brunson still hit some magical clutch shots in the fourth quarter, scoring 12 points. His two three-pointers, along with one from OG, kept the game alive until the very end. The Knicks' fighting spirit is truly impressive.

Setting aside the refereeing, the Knicks' offense today was fairly mediocre. Compared to their all-around performance in Game 2, Brunson seemed a bit ball-dominant, shooting 11-for-25 for a low efficiency. If Brunson maintains this efficiency and wins Finals MVP, he might become the one with the lowest shooting percentage in history.

Towns had very little involvement in today's offense, rarely getting chances to facilitate. He had only one assist, and most of his shots were forced. Towns should be more engaged offensively, which has been a key reason for the Knicks' 2-0 lead and their 13-game winning streak.

Besides Towns, Bridges had little impact after picking up two early fouls. Aside from Brunson's heavy workload, the Knicks relied on OG's efficient isolation scoring and some magical contributions from role players. Shamet's 1-for-7 shooting from three was a normal regression, and Hart hit four three-pointers. The role players had an average game overall.

The Spurs clearly played their best game of the Finals. After blowing another double-digit lead, they didn't lose confidence in the second half but steadily regained control. Against the Knicks' final push, Castle and Fox both hit crucial shots. The Spurs eventually put Fox, Castle, and Harper—three guards—on the court together, abandoning any hesitation.

Wembanyama played 38 minutes, shooting 11-for-18 from the field, 2-for-4 from three, and 8-for-9 from the foul line, finishing with 32 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks. He scored 10 points in the fourth quarter. By reducing his dribbling and ball-handling today, he became an efficient finisher, making the game much clearer.

This Finals series will now at least return to San Antonio. The suspense won't end early, and at least the games won't be too boring.