Karl-Anthony Towns has matched Victor Wembanyama in a battle of big men, a major reason why the New York Knicks are two games from their first NBA title since 1973.

Wembanyama, a 7-foot-4 Frenchman, has averaged 27.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, two assists, 3.5 blocked shots, and 1.5 steals a game for San Antonio.

But the Knicks have a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven championship series thanks to containing “Wemby” and forcing mistakes in key situations.

A major part of that defensive effort has been the work of Towns, who has 19.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, four assists, and one block a game for New York.

A key reason the Knicks have won twice is expecting nothing less than the best from the Spurs.

“Every single game you expect their best. That’s how you don’t get caught in a way lacking,” Towns said. “You expect their best, so you want to bring your best.

“This is the NBA finals. There’s no time to take any game easy or to take any game lightly.”

Together with Knicks scoring leader Jalen Brunson, Towns has adapted his game to do whatever his teammates need to boost their victory chances.

The Knicks went down 2-1 in the first round against Atlanta and have won 13 games in a row since then, two shy of the longest win streak in NBA playoff history.

“We always talk about the unity and camaraderie of this team. We don’t ever want to put ourselves in that position again,” Towns said.

“So, just every single day, coming to the game with that desperation, that will to not put ourselves in a bad spot. I think that’s what’s led us to this point.”

“He will just be there watching the game,” New York’s OG Anunoby said.

“We’re just going to go as usual and play our game.” (Agence France-Presse)