New York Knicks fans are eagerly awaiting Game 5 of the NBA Finals. The team is on the road to clinch their first title in 53 years. Although the game is being played in San Antonio, fans in New York City are planning to gather to watch the game on bar TVs and big screens.

Watch Parties and Security Measures

The Knicks are holding a watch party outside Madison Square Garden, with up to 3,000 fans allowed to attend. Advanced registration is required, and all fans will be screened by police. Other watch parties are being held at Radio City Music Hall and Wollman Rink in Central Park.

After a rift with the city over security measures for Game 4, the Knicks have implemented additional safety protocols for the watch party. The city has also declared a Gridlock Alert for Saturday, with severe traffic congestion expected in midtown Manhattan.

World Cup Match and Concert

The Knicks game coincides with a World Cup match between Brazil and Morocco at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The match kicks off about three hours before the Knicks game, and traffic and transit restrictions are expected to affect Manhattan. Additionally, a concert at Madison Square Garden is expected to bring another 15,000 to 20,000 people to the area.

The combination of events has led to concerns about crowd control and safety. The police department has reported incidents of reckless and destructive behavior during previous games, and fans are advised to exercise caution and follow instructions from authorities.

Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.