Knicks at Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs still have a chance to catch the Golden State Warriors for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference but time is running out. The Spurs have little margin for error over the final 11 regular-season games and look to post their fourth consecutive victory when they host the New York Knicks on Saturday.
San Antonio recorded a 97-90 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday and coach Gregg Popovich was pleased with the 23-point performance by power forward LaMarcus Aldridge. "LaMarcus had that little hiatus there where he had to get some things checked out, but I think he looks pretty comfortable shooting the ball," Popovich told reporters while referencing Aldridge's recent heart issue. "He's not holding the ball. He's shooting it when he's open. I think he feels good." The Knicks have dropped four straight games and nine of 11 after falling 110-95 to the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday. All-Star small forward Carmelo Anthony (knee) is expected back from a one-game absence while the availability of point guard Derrick Rose (foot) is uncertain.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FSN Southwest (San Antonio)
ABOUT THE KNICKS (27-45): Rose will test his foot on Saturday - he was injured on Wednesday - and he also has expressed that he will test the free agent market following the season. Rose isn't a fan of the club's triangle offense and coach Jeff Hornacek recently stated that offseason decisions will revolve around finding good fits for the offense. "Not even thinking money. I've got more than enough money saved. If I stopped playing basketball now, I'll be all right," Rose told reporters. "I want to win. I want to be happy and feel at peace with myself wherever I'm at."
ABOUT THE SPURS (55-16): Aldridge reached 15,000 career points during the victory over the Grizzlies and he is averaging 21.4 points in five contests since missing two games due to heart arrhythmia. "I'm just playing basketball and trying to be more dominant out there and taking my shots," Aldridge said after the win. "I'm playing in the flow. I'm not being as passive as I was earlier in the year, and it's working out for me. I'm finding my rhythm out there, and my teammates are finding me." All-Star small forward Kawhi Leonard tallied 19 points against Memphis and has topped 30 points six times this month.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Anthony scored 25 points to help the Knicks to a 94-90 home win over the Spurs on Feb. 12.
2. San Antonio backup SG Manu Ginobili was 1-of-7 shooting against the Grizzlies and has scored in double digits just twice over the past 17 games.
3. Rookie G Ron Baker started in place of Rose on Thursday and had just four points on 2-of-8 shooting.