Sports

KNICKS VOW TO GET DEFENSIVE IN GAME 2

SAN ANTONIO – The Knicks need a little more of their mid-decade form of full-contact defense if they stand any chance of containing San Antonio’s twin towers.

At least that was the feeling they had after the Spurs wore them down, 89-77, in Game 1 of the NBA Finals last night.

”We don’t want to be dirty, but we have to be physical at the same time,” said Latrell Sprewell, in calling for his teammates to put a greater hurt on San Antonio’s menacing front line.

But that’s easier said than done – especially when the Knicks are without Patrick Ewing and a hobbling Larry Johnson picked up two quick fouls. Still, Sprewell said the Knicks must be tougher.

”If they’re going to throw a lob, someone has to crack down on them every now and then – not to intentionally hurt but to be a little more physical,” Sprewell added.

While the Knicks managed to outrebound the Spurs (43-37), it was at the line (San Antonio shot 12 more free throws) and the 21 shots (10 of them good) by Tim Duncan.

Kurt Thomas, who led the Knicks with 16 boards, agreed the Knicks were tentative with Ewing’s absence and after Johnson’s early fouls.

”Without a doubt that was the case,” Thomas said. ”We can’t be worried about the whistle and we have to keep playing hard.”

It’s no secret that the Knicks are weak inside, and the Spurs said they weren’t bashful about taking it to New York from the start.

Often accused of soft play, David Robinson said he and Duncan made a conscious effort to make the Knicks pay for Ewing’s absence and Johnson’s injury.

”Coming in tonight, Tim and I talked about it,” Robinson said. ”We were going to have to take it to the hole. We were going to have to be real aggressive.”