New York Knicks are simply on fire. 10 straight wins with a +225 differential in that stretch and are shooting 53.8% from the field. Everyone seems to have the hot hand and that explains the ‘Let’s Go Knicks’ chants raining down in the Cavs arena. 3-0 and they have one foot in the doorstep of the NBA Finals. Who is going to stop them?
Knicks 121 - Cleveland 108 (3-0)
What happened?
This game was just a solid road win for the Knicks. They started off hot maintaining an 8-10 point lead throughout the first quarter and the majority of the second. Then a couple minutes before the half, the Cavs showed some resistance and clawed themselves back into the game through James Harden. He hit a couple of big layups and his playmaking was vital to the Cavs success in this period. Eventually, the Knicks began to pull away again and they were up by 6 at the half. In the second half it was all New York who slowly increased their lead until they had a 12-18 point cushion. From there they just managed the game and they walked out of Rocket Arena with a 3-0 lead in the series. Jalen Brunson led the show again with 30 points on over 50% efficiency and guaranteed then the win by taking over in clutch time. Mikal Bridges also continued his hot streak with 22 on 11/15 shooting while OG had a similar stat line with 21 on 60% efficiency and was 75% from three. The key to the Knicks win down the stretch was Landry Shamet. He was red hot from three late in this game and hit 3 big threes and 2 free throws to ice the game and ended the night with 14 points on 80% from three.
What does it mean?
The Knicks take a 3-0 lead in the series and have a chance to sweep them on Monday Night in Cleveland. If anyone thinks Cleveland still have a chance to win this series they are either a Cavs fan or delusional. No team has ever came back from going 3-0 down. Teams that are up 3-0 in the NBA playoffs are 163-0. This series is over and the Knicks are all but in the NBA finals.
KAT as a point forward:
Throughout these playoffs it is clear that Karl-Anthony Towns has significantly sacrificed his scoring to make the Knicks better. He is 4 points below his regular season average in the playoffs this season and that is because he has been playing in a point-forward role and is using his height and playmaking to initiate the offense. Whether he is finding a guard off a baseline flex screen or hitting the open shooter KAT has been the secret to the Knicks success this playoffs. For context, he is averaging 3 more assists per game in the playoffs vs the regular season. It’s worth noting that if the Knicks do face the Spurs in the NBA Finals KAT will have the ability to pull Wemby out of the paint and leave the paint open for easy points.
Whats next?:
Game 4 is Monday Night in Cleveland at 1am UK time. The Knicks are 59.5% favorites to win on the road and get the sweep done in front of Cavs fans.
By the numbers:
The Cavs shot 29% from three in Game 3. They were getting good looks but nothing was falling for Cleveland.
The Cavs did not have a single lead this whole game.
Cavs only shot 63% from the stripe. Stupid mistakes and unforced errors have killed the Cavs in this series.
KAT had a near triple-double with 13 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists.
Brunson had 10 big points in the 4th to ice this game.
Daily Recap
NBA
Knicks 121 - 108 Cavs (3-0) Highlights
NHL
Hurricanes 3 - 2 Canadiens OT (1-1) Highlights
MLB
Brewers 3 - 11 Dodgers
Mets 1 - 4 Marlins
Cardinals 8 - 1 Reds (Game 1 of double-header)
Reds 7 - 6 Cardinals (Game 2 of double-header)
White Sox 9 - 4 Giants
Royals 5 - 0 Mariners.
Hurricanes 3 - Canadiens 2 (1-1)
Carolina did what good teams do, they came back and responded. Nikolaj Ehlers scored twice including the OT winner 3:29 into extras to lift the Hurricanes to a 3-2 win and level the series at 1-1. Montreal never led and Carolina kept extending their lead. Carolina went up 1-0, Montreal equalized, Caroline went up 2-1, Montreal equalized. Josh Anderson scored both Montreal goals , his 12th consecutive playoff goal that either tied the game or gave his team the lead. A remarkable streak. Everyone had this series all but wrapped up for the Canadiens after Game 1’s 6-2 demolition. Now it’s level heading into the fortress of the NHL in Montreal for Game 3 on Monday at 1am UK time. The Hurricanes are back in this and the Canadiens need their crazy home crowd to give them a lift.