Why the Cavs’ first-quarter strength would be a smart play against a potentially rusty Knicks team
If you missed last night’s game between the Spurs and the Thunder, I feel for you. There have been some loud complaints about the games, and some are overcrowded, but last night was fun, fun basketball. There was beauty from Victor Wembanyama, amazing performances from Alex Caruso and much more. The Cavs and Knicks have a lot of work to do if they want to match the double overtime performance from last night.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are probably tired. This is the 15th playoff game this team will have played. Both of their first series went the full distance, the Cavs were able to pull away from their opponent. However, Cleveland persevered and won both series and is now one game away from reaching the NBA Finals. This will be a challenge for the Cavaliers, but they seem locked in at the moment, having won four of their last five games.
New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson reacts after scoring a goal in the second half of Game 4 against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round of the NBA playoffs in Philadelphia on May 10, 2026. (Matt Slocum/AP)
How can the Cavs pull off the upset tonight, and in the series for that matter? Donovan Mitchell should be the best player in the series. Jalen Brunson and they should cancel, for the most part. Jarrett Allen will need to be a monster on the glass and disrupt Karl-Anthony Towns’ new play. And, most of all, James Harden needs to be honest. He averaged less than 20 points per game against Detroit and only 6.3 assists. That’s three fewer points and two fewer assists than the regular season.
The New York Knicks are the clear favorite to win the Eastern Conference, and after their performance against Philadelphia, it’s easy to understand. They have played 10 games this season after going 8-2. Their two losses were by a total of two points. Their victory was not so close. Their wins were 11, 16, 29, 51, 39, 6, 14 and 30. Seven won by double digits, and four by 29 points or more. The Knicks have had a very good postseason.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley and guard Donovan Mitchell wait with head coach Kenny Atkinson to enter the game against the New York Knicks at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, April 2, 2025. (Ken Blaze/Images)
So with all the success, do the Knicks need to change anything to win this series? It’s hard to say whether they can improve. Brunson was great, the defense was great, Towns was a playmaker, and they swept the 76ers without OG Anunoby playing a full series. He’s back now, and that should explain some problems for the Cavs. I think Anunoby’s goals could be the key to this series. Assuming Brunson and Mitchell cancel each other out, and City vs. Allen and Mobley is a good matchup, Anunoby could be the difference maker for Max Strus.
There will always be a question of rest versus rust. The Knicks are the best, having not played since May 10. The Cavs are out of gas against the Pistons in Game 1 of the series after playing Game 7. They were lucky to have a non-sweat Game 7 on Sunday. This game could go either way if the Knicks come out short.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns celebrates his three-point shot against the Boston Celtics in the first quarter of Game 6 in the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 16, 2025. (Brad Penner-Imagn Photos)
The game in this one is to take the Cavs in the first quarter of the game at +1.5. The Knicks can get out of the gate. The Cavs are in a good rhythm right now, and have shown they can play well after Game 7. I’ll take Cleveland in the first quarter, but I think they could fade as the game goes on.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE GAMES FOXNEWS.COM
For more information on sports betting and games, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024
