June 6 (UPI) — New York Knicks players watched a 14-point fourth-quarter lead evaporate, but held onto their defensive intensity in the final seconds to beat the San Antonio Spurs in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Friday in San Antonio.

Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns wrestled Victor Wembanyama for the majority of the 105-104 triumph. Wembanyama, who totaled just seven points in the first half, netted 22 in the second to spark the comeback, but missed a game-winning shot attempt at the final buzzer.

“The reason we won this game is because we gave ourselves a lead,” Towns said on the ABC broadcast. “We played hard. We got ourselves a lead. Something we’d done so well in this playoffs, we’ve gotten leads and held the lead.

Today, the Spurs fought. They got themselves back into the game, with a chance to win. The grit, the resilience, New York City showed up. The fans showed up. The energy showed up. We found a way to get it done.”

With the victory, the Knicks secured a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven-game series, which will head to New York on Monday for Game 3. They also extended their postgame winning streak to 13 consecutive games, including eight straight on the road.

Towns totaled 21 points and 13 rebounds. Knicks guards Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges scored 20 points apiece. Forward OG Anunoby chipped in 17 points for the Knicks.

The Spurs outshot the Knicks 47.4% to 41.6% and outscored the visitors 48-38 in the paint. The Knicks held a 55-52 advantage in rebounding and 29-22 edge in assists.

San Antonio sizzled early, outshooting New York 65% to 38.1% in the first quarter. They carried a 34-25 lead into the second. The Knicks, who trailed by as many as a dozen in the first half, took their first lead of the night with 3:39 remaining in the second quarter. They outscored the Spurs 31-18 in the frame and carried a 56-52 lead at halftime.

The Spurs made just 4 of 21 shots in the second quarter. Towns and Bridges scored 12 and 11 points, respectively, in the quarter. They each hit a trio of 3-pointers.

Wembanyama, who made just two shots through two quarters, responded with a dozen in the third. But the Knicks outscored the Spurs 28-23 in the frame and carried an 84-75 edge into the fourth.

Anunoby helped the Knicks extend their advantage to 97-83 midway through the fourth quarter. The Knicks then went cold, failing to make a shot over the next four minutes. Meanwhile, the Spurs went on a 16-0 run to erase their deficit and tie the score with 2:59 remaining.

Wembanyama gave the Spurs their first lead of the second half with 57 seconds remaining. Brunson tied the score on the next possession. Wembanyama proceeded to register a crucial turnover with 10 seconds left and fouled Brunson, allowing him to put the Knicks ahead for good.

Wembanyama hit the back of the rim on a 20-foot jump shot on the game’s final possession, resulting in the loss.

The Knicks will host the Spurs in Game 3 at 8:30 p.m. EDT Monday at Madison Square Garden. Game 4 will tip off at the same time Wednesday in New York.