The fifth-seeded New York Knicks took a commanding 3-1 series lead over Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers using a 102-93 win in Game 4. As a result, the Knicks face the opportunity to achieve a long awaited NBA playoff series victory.
With a combined 55 points from Jalen Brunson (29 points) and RJ Barrett (26 points), there was more than enough firepower to achieve a win after holding the Cavs to under 100 points for the third time this series.
“There’s nothing to celebrate,” Brunson said. “There’s nothing to be truly happy about.”
With a victory in Cleveland on Wednesday, the fifth-seeded Knicks have a strong outlook to advance to the second round for the first time since 2013. Madison Square Garden, where the last two games have been deafening, will host Game 6 — if it’s even necessary — on Friday.
“There’s nothing like a big game at the Garden,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks & Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
The Knicks held Mitchell to just 11 points on 5-for-18 shooting, one of the worst performances of his postseason career. Darius Garland led the Cavaliers with 23 points and 10 assists, rebounding nicely from his poor shooting in Game 3 against the Knicks. Each of Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert scored 14 points.
“This (is) not over with,” Mitchell said. “The way we lost sucks. We can’t hang our heads and ultimately give up. We’re not that type of group. Like I said, we’ll be ready for Game 5.”
Barrett struggled in the two games in Cleveland, but has excelled at home, where fans chanted his name throughout the second half. During a stretch when Cleveland managed only two baskets in more than four minutes, he scored five straight points to break the tie and push the Knicks’ lead to 90-81 midway.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks & Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
Josh Hart offered his Villanova college teammate, Brunson, with some needed help once again, recording 19 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Brunson and Hart accounted for 20 of New York’s 30 points in the opening quarter. After a 3-pointer by Brunson midway through the second, New York extended the lead to double digits. It was 54-45 in favor of the Knicks.
“During the regular season, we were able to flip some switches and come back in games,” Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “This time it just doesn’t present the opportunity to do so.”
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks & Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
As Cleveland scored three consecutive baskets in the third quarter, Garland had the Cavaliers’ next two field goals to tie it at 59. With 6.2 seconds left, Brunson made a 3-pointer to send the Knicks to the fourth with a 73-71 lead after his three-point play gave the Cavs a 66-63 lead.
“Jalen hit a huge shot at the end of the third to put us up, so that was big, and fourth quarter, just staying tough,” Barrett said. “Every time they threw a punch, we threw something back.”
Want the latest in NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here.
