Knicks try to ignore hoopla, focus on G3 at MSG

Article excerpt

Madison Square Garden hosts its first NBA Finals game since 1999 on Monday, with the Knicks facing the Spurs in Game 3 of a series that has already generated significant buzz. The day before the matchup brought crowds and excitement to the arena, but Knicks players are working to tune out the distractions and concentrate on the task at hand. The team understands that the historic nature of the occasion, New York's first Finals appearance in nearly a quarter-century, could create a circus atmosphere, yet they're determined to maintain their composure and focus on executing their game plan.