Knicks links: Mamdani's response, keys, nuns and street closures

The NYPD will ban the general public from the vicinity of Madison Square Garden for hours before, during and after Wednesday's Game 4 of the NBA Finals, restrictions the venue said make the mayor and police commissioner "NEW YORK CITY’S BIGGEST PARTY POOPERS."

Refereeing at Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Knicks and Spurs felt "criminal," Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Wednesday as he also defended himself against Madison Square Garden’s assertion that banning the general public from the vicinity of the arena for Game 4 makes him a "party pooper" who is imposing a "police state."

The contingent of Catholic nuns rooting and praying for the San Antonio Spurs at every home game may have the courtside view, but the legion of Long Island religious sisters devoted to the Knicks are also doubling up on the spiritual appeals.

Mike Brown took a lot of heat from TV's talking heads for complaining about the officials after Game 3. Yet, his postgame maneuver was a time-honored practice by some of the best coaches in the game.

To get back on track after 13 consecutive wins, it will take some work for the Knicks. We'll start with these three keys to Game 4.

For the first time in nearly two months the Knicks are taking the floor after a loss, finally getting a test of the resiliency and character they have leaned on in good times.