The Knicks continue their little road trip tonight in San Antonio against a COVID-ravaged Spurs team on a second game of a back-to-back. Could this game finally give the Knicks their first four-game win streak of 2020-21?

Is it weird that this game feels like one of the “trap games” the Knicks have run into this year?

The Spurs are 17-13. That’s good for the sixth seed in the West. The Knicks are — have you heard? — 18-17, and the fourth seed in the East. Maybe it’s as simple as four > six (in terms of playoff seeds, at least), or maybe it’s the fact that the Spurs are on a SAGABABA after a tough OT loss to the Nets while the Knicks are on a three-game win streak — either way, this feels like a winnable game. In some special way, they all feel at least somewhat “winnable” now. No more schedule losses, even with the Knicks short two starters (one of whom should probably remain not a starter if at all possible when he gets back from his injury — and I ain’t talking about Mitchell Robinson).

Oh, hey, would ya look at that! Ask and ye shall receive:

At full strength, the Spurs would be a tough pill to swallow. This team has EIGHT dudes that score in double figures. EIGHT! (Though Derrick White has been in just eight games.) And you thought the Knicks employed a deep roster!

Unfortunately for the Spurs, they probably won’t be at full strength. Remember when the Knicks had their game against San Antonio postponed a week and change ago? That’s because they got hit by a large amount of COVID-19 cases within the organization. They may just now be getting Keldon Johnson back for this game, which is no small add — he’s averaging almost 15 points, seven boards, and three assists per game. Johnson was in COVID protocol before being technically cleared for last night’s Nets game, but apparently Spurs coach Gregg Popovich felt it best to give him some time to get his conditioning back. Was one night enough time to do that? Will Pop kinda throw his philosophy out the window to get another active body on the floor for a SEGABABA? I guess we’ll see.

Otherwise, it seems like Rudy Gay, Derrick White, Devin Vassell, and Quinndary Weatherspoon are almost certainly going to be out — even if they’re cleared from COVID protocols — thanks to Pop’s apparent “gotta get your wind back” rule. That’ll help a lot. Take individual defensive rating for what you will, but of players averaging 15-plus minutes per game that have played in at least 20 games in that category this season, Gay and Vassell rank first and sixth, respectively.

For whatever reason, it always feels like the Knicks play the Spurs better than most of their other opponents. A quick fact check tells me that that notion probably has evolved from the Knicks memorably sweeping the Spurs back in the magical 2012-13 season — but since then, they’ve earned at least a split in four of the last seven years. That’s pretty impressive when you consider last year was the first time the Spurs missed the playoffs since the Clinton administration, while the Knicks have been… well, the Knicks.

Having Rose in there for Payton in this one should be an important wrinkle for New York to have a shot at winning — Dejounte Murray is pretty good at defense, so having a point guard out there that can do more than one thing should be a key. Also watch out for that DeMar DeRozan/RJ Barrett matchup — RJ’s been feasting of late, and DeRozan is having arguably his best season as a pro as Pop’s offensive hub.

Another big deal? The benches. The Knicks’ bench unit featuring Immanuel Quickley, Frank Ntilikina, Alec Burks, and Obi Toppin has been a force of nature at times lately. It doesn’t bode well for the Spurs if they have to field a long rotation (thanks to the SEGABABA after an OT game) filled with guys that wouldn’t normally be playing (thanks to all the COVID absences).

Ultimately, though, you know who the starring attraction is here — the big dog himself, Julius Randle. He’s looking across the way at Trey Lyles, old LaMarcus Aldridge, and Luka Samanic, and likely just sees a big pile of food. Look for Julius to continue his “it wasn’t a fucking fluke that I got selected as an All-Star” tour and dismember the Spurs.

Will this finally be the night that the Knicks achieve their elusive first four-game win streak of the season? Guess we’ll see, but I’d bet on the Knicks tonight if I was a betting man.

Game’s at 8:30 on MSG. Feel free to comment along in the comment section below, or hang with us on Twitter. Whatever you’re feeling.

Oh, should I continue Stingy’s trend of warmup music? He’s probably gonna hate anything I pick. Whatever, this song’s been stuck in my head lately. Absolutely no relation to the game.