One of the most anticipated matchups in the 2023 NBA Playoffs is between the No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers and No. 5 seed New York Knicks. These teams were neck-and-neck for a majority of the second half of the season and will be tied together for years because of the presence of Donovan Mitchell.
The Knicks made a run at Mitchell in the offseason but were unable to get a deal done with the Utah Jazz. The Cavaliers swooped in at the 11th hour, creating a dynamic backcourt with Darius Garland. Many people thought that would keep the Knicks out of the postseason, but they have proven to be a very talented team that could surprise some people in the playoffs.
The Cavaliers are currently the favorites to win the series at -200, with the Knicks being listed at +172. Cleveland is -1.5 on the spread for the series at +102, with New York listed at +1.5 with -128 odds.
In the regular season, the Knicks won the series, 3-1. How will this playoff series end up? Here is all you need to know to watch the games with some analysis and predictions as well.
Game Schedule (*=If Necessary)
Game 1: New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 6:00 PM ET, ESPN
Game 2: New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 7:30 PM ET, TNT
Game 3: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks 8:30 PM ET, ESPN
Game 4: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks 1:00 PM ET, ABC
*Game 5: New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers TBD
*Game 6: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks TBD
*Game 7: New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers TBD
Keys To Series
1. Bench Performance
The Cavaliers have an advantage with the starting five heading into the series. Their group of Garland, Mitchell, Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen was a very efficient five. They match up well against the Knicks’ starting five, when healthy, and will hold an even bigger advantage should Obi Toppin start for Julius Randle.
Off the bench, however, the script is flipped. New York has one of the bench units in the NBA led by Immanuel Quickley with Josh Hart and Isaiah Hartenstein. Depending on Randle’s status, Toppin or Deuce McBride will also see minutes.
In a playoff series, you know what the other team is going to bring to the table. It is about whose players win matchups more and if the Knicks bench performs at the level that they have, they will keep the team in this.
2. Mitchell vs. Brunson
The matchup that is going to garner the most attention in this series is Mitchell against Brunson. They have both been excellent with their new teams this season and elevated their squads to levels they haven’t reached in years.
During the regular season, Brunson had a huge edge in the head-to-head matchup. He shot 14-of-20 for 36 points with Mitchell as the primary defender. Will that continue in the postseason?
The Cavaliers should have Okoro at their disposal, who found success while defending Brunson in the regular season. The Knicks now have Hart that can pester Mitchell, so this matchup will go beyond just a one-on-one between the two dynamic guards.
3. Rebounding
At first glance, the Knicks have a huge edge in the rebounding department. They are one of the most efficient offensive-rebounding teams in the NBA thanks to Mitchell Robinson and have only improved with Hart in the mix.
However, a lot of the minutes in the regular season came without Jarrett Allen and Okoro on the court. As pointed out over at Action Network, the Cavaliers have the highest defensive rebounding percentage with them on the court and the lowest without them.
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With Allen, Mobley and Okoro on the court, the Knicks grabbed only six offensive rebounds in 65 minutes. The Knicks have a clear edge with Allen on the bench, so if he is forced to the bench, this will change the tide.
X-Factor: Julius Randle’s Health
The most important thing that will determine this series is the health of Julius Randle. The Knicks’ All-Star and potential All-NBA Team member suffered an ankle sprain on March 29th against the Miami Heat. His participation in practice has been very limited, which clouds his availability for this series.
Only nine players appeared in all 82 games this season, with Mikal Bridges playing in 83 because of being traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Brooklyn Nets. Randle would have been on that list had he not suffered the ankle injury.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS COVERAGE: Cleveland Cavaliers & New York Knicks Updates
Having him on the court, even if he is limited, will greatly improve the Knicks’ chances of winning as he carries a major presence on the floor. It will be something to keep an eye on throughout the series as having two days off in between Games 1, 2, 3 and 4 will certainly help him heal up.
Prediction
This series has the potential to be the best one of the first round, most certainly in the Eastern Conference. The Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers are head and shoulders above whoever wins the Play-In Tournament matchup between the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks and Nets.
Even with Randle hampered, this is a series that should go at least six games. If he is healthy and close to 100 percent, the Knicks have what it takes to pull off the upset in seven games.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS COVERAGE: Cleveland Cavaliers & New York Knicks Updates
But, if he is sidelined, New York has a tall hill to climb. Toppin has played well in Randle’s place, but he doesn’t possess the same physicality that Randle possesses to bang with Mobley and Allen on the interior along with Robinson.
The Cavaliers will win this series in six games if Randle is unable to play. But, if he can get out there for even a few good minutes a game, the Knicks will pull off the upset in seven games. RJ Barrett will be the biggest X-Factor in this series if Randle is unable to play.
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