NEW YORK, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- In the exhibition opener for both teams, the New York Knicks suffered an 84-71 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, who used big runs in the second and third quarters to pull away.
Playing for the first time under the NBA's new rules allowing nearly all forms of defense, the teams were called for defensive three seconds seven times.
San Antonio, which was swept by the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference finals, took control with a 16-2 run to open the second quarter. A jumper by Danny Ferry capped the surge with 4:44 remaining in the first half and gave the Spurs a 37-26 lead.
The Spurs began the third with a 13-3 burst that opened the lead to 60-40 with six minutes remaining in the period.
Playing without Marcus Camby, who didn't dress because of a sore left foot, the Knicks trailed by 10 at halftime and 15 entering the fourth quarter.
Latrell Sprewell was the only Knick in double figures with 20 points. Sprewell made 7-of-13 shots, but New York only shot 31 percent (26-of-85). Swingman Shandon Anderson, acquired in the deal that sent Glen Rice to Houston, scored nine points.
