NEW YORK – The poor passing and sloppy shooting in overtime hurt, though the effort was more disappointing than the execution to Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.
“We didn’t respect the game,” he said. “We didn’t respect our opponent. It was a pathetic performance, and I hope every player is embarrassed. Not because we’re supposed to win the game, quote unquote, but it’s about how you play the game.”
The NBA’s worst team played it better than its defending champions, and the New York Knicks surprised San Antonio, 104-100, on Tuesday night.
Alexey Shved scored 21 points and made the key defensive play in overtime for the Knicks, who became the first team in NBA history to enter a game this late in a season with a winning percentage below .200 and beat the defending champs, according to information provided by Elias to the Knicks.
“It a special win for the team and a good win for the fans,” Shved said.
In other results, Detroit stunned Memphis, 105-95; Houston repulsed Orlando, 107-94; New Orleans nipped Milwaukee, 85-84; and the Los Angeles Lakers downed the Charlotte Hornets, 99-92.