The Knicks stormed back from a 14-point deficit in Game 1 of the NBA Finals to take down the Spurs, 105-95, on Wednesday night in San Antonio, drawing first blood in the series with Game 2 set for Friday night.

And with the Spurs facing the possibility of arriving at a raucous Madison Square Garden in a 2-0 series hole for Monday's Game 3, the Knicks know what to expect from San Antonio in Game 2. 

"A desperate team," Mitchell Robinsontold reporters on Thursday when asked what the Knicks are preparing for. 

With the benefit of having eight days off after sweeping the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks looked fresh in Game 1, although they were a bit rusty in the first half -- and struggled for the whole game when it came to shooting from behind the arc.

The Spurs, who prevailed over the Thunder in seven games in the Western Conference Finals, had only three days off to prepare. And while their energy level was high, superstar Victor Wembanyama seemed a bit winded down the stretch as New York pulled away.

One big reason for the Knicks' comeback wasJosh Hart, who was one of the most important players on the floor despite scoring only three points.

Hart, whose motor never stops, had 15 rebounds, six assists, four steals, and zero turnovers -- stuffing the stat sheet despite missing a big chunk of the first half because he was in foul trouble.

"His energy is just relentless," Jalen Brunson said about Hart. "It doesn't stop. I mean, he eats candy all the time. That tells you who he is -- he's a big kid with an absurd amount of energy."

As they came away with the win in Game 1, the Knicks' defense tightened up late, giving the Spurs fits.

That included big performances from Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby, and is something New York will have to continue as the series goes forward.

"I think we just tried to be physical and be aggressive defensively," Anunoby said. "We try to make anyone we're playing uncomfortable. We don't want people to be comfortable. Taking up space when you can, always make sure to get a contest, and just fly around -- communicate on defense."