One ugly reason doomed the Knicks in Game 3 — and cost them a chance at NBA Finals sweep

To hear Mike Brown tell it — very calmly and calculated, mind you — the Knicks were playing 5-on-8 in Game 3. They faced five Spurs and three referees. 

“I don’t complain much but I never thought I’d see that in an NBA Finals game, and I saw it [Monday night],” Brown said. “That’s tough to overcome when you’re playing against a great team.” 

Brown had a point. The Spurs took 24 foul shots in the second half; the Knicks attempted just eight. It’s a discrepancy that was difficult to reconcile for any objective observer. As Brown lodged in his press-conference complaint, the Knicks were certainly fouling. They just weren’t fouling that much more than the Spurs. 

Still, the Knicks had a very good chance to leave in glory Monday. They should’ve won despite the officiating inconsistency. They should’ve kept their winning streak alive and basically assured the franchise’s first championship since Richard Nixon was in the White House.