The New York Knicks are heading back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. In a dominant display of both offensive fire power and lock down defense, the Knicks complete a four game sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. The game four win caps off an incredible 11 game postseason winning streak and places the franchise just four wins away from its first championship title since 1973.
The tone for the series was set right out of the gate at Madison Square Garden. In Game 1, the Knicks secured a comfortable 115-104 victory. New York’s physical defense and efficient ball movement kept the Cavaliers playing catch up, proving early on that the Knicks' depth would be a massive problem for Cleveland. The Knicks turned the Cavaliers over 19 times in game one, a sloppy showing from the Cavaliers stars.
Game 2 followed a nearly identical script at the Garden. The Knicks kept Cleveland's offense entirely in check, coasting to a 109-93 win. Josh Hart led the charge for the Knicks. He scored a post season career high 26 points in game two. Jalen Brunson added 14 assists, also a post season career high. The combined effort of Hart and Brunson gave the Knicks all the momentum as they hit the road for Cleveland.
As the series shifted to Cleveland for Game 3, the Cavaliers desperately looked to unlock their offense on their home floor. However, the momentum the Knicks built in the first two games traveled with them. The Knicks controlled the game from the opening tip, walking away with a commanding 121-108 victory and pushing Cleveland to the brink of elimination. Staring a 3-0 series deficit in the face, Cavs head coach, Kenny Atkinson, had an interesting take on the series so far. He said "I don't know if you guys follow that -- the expected score. We've won two out of three." What a wild thing to say as you attempt to save your season and avoid being swept from the playoffs in front of a home crowd.
The exclamation point for the Knicks came in Monday night’s Game 4. Facing a desperate Cleveland squad, the Knicks routed the Cavaliers 130-93. Karl-Anthony Towns dominated the paint with 19 points and 14 rebounds, while Landry Shamet was lights out from deep off the bench, scoring 16 points while going a perfect 4/4 from beyond the arc. The Knicks completely overwhelmed the Cavs on both sides of the ball, out rebounding them 60-33 and turning the fourth quarter into an extended celebration and some time off for the starters. Jalen Brunson was awarded the Eastern Conference Finals MVP trophy after averaging 27.8 points and 6.7 assists throughout the postseason run.
For a generation of Knicks fans who haven't seen a Finals game in New York since the late 90s, the 27 year drought is finally over. The Knicks will now get some well earned rest as they await the winner of the Western Conference Finals showdown between the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder. That series is tied 2-2, game 5 tonight in Oklahoma City.
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