A few mere inches paved the way for OG Anunoby’s heroics.
Backup guard Jose Alvarado managed to avoid a backcourt violation by the slightest of margins in the final 10 seconds, which allowed the Knicks to retain possession for Anunoby’s eventual game-winning tip-in during the historic 107-106 Game 4 win in the NBA Finals on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden.
After Anunoby blocked De’Aaron Fox’s layup with the Knicks trailing 106-105, Alvarado dribbled up the court before being met by two Spurs defenders.
They forced him backwards toward the halfcourt line and the ball actually went back onto the other side, but he kept both feet from hitting the floor while the Spurs fouled him with 5.7 seconds remaining.
Had both feed touched, the Knicks would have turned over the ball.
That allowed the Knicks one final possession, and Anunoby tipped in a long miss by Jalen Brunson with 2.1 seconds left to give the Knicks the lead and ultimately a 3-1 series lead.
Alvarado scored eight points in 16 minutes and hit two important 3’s to help the comeback, and posted
