Knicks brace for battle as Spurs seek payback

SAN ANTONIO  – The New York Knicks are bracing for a hard-fought battle from San Antonio when the NBA Finals begin on Wednesday, while the Spurs seek revenge for a loss in the NBA Cup.

Both clubs tried to keep the atmosphere as normal as possible during Tuesday media day interview sessions on the eve of a historic best-of-seven championship clash.

“Really well-coached team, really talented team. You can tell how together they are, which is very dope,” New York’s Mikal Bridges said of the Spurs.

“They’re ready to go out there and fight. They’re going to battle. Not soft at all. They’re going to compete at a high level. I feel like we do the same. Just excited.”

The Knicks, who have not won an NBA title since 1973, captured the NBA Cup in-season tournament by beating the Spurs 124-113 in Las Vegas last December. Each team won at home in their regular-season meetings.

“The Knicks have played us really well this year. We went into their house and they beat us. They beat us in the in-season tournament,” said San Antonio’s Devin Vassell.

“We feel like we’ve got to get some get-back because they’ve been successful against us.

“We didn’t get here to say we’re the Western Conference finals champions. We want to sit here and say we’re the NBA champions.”