Knicks recognize the difficulty of Game 3 due to the Cavaliers’ successful comebacks

CLEVELAND — A Message of Resilience

The Cavaliers find themselves in familiar territory. After having previously dug themselves out of an 0-2 deficit this postseason, they’re confident they can do it again.

Owner Dan Gilbert reached out to fans on X following the Knicks’ Game 2 victory at Madison Square Garden. “Cavs fans, you’ve seen this before, right? It’s not ideal, but hey, we’ve done it twice already. Let’s go home, win two, and then take it from there. Keep believing,” he said.

This encouraging sentiment also resonates within the team.

Donovan Mitchell noted, “Mentally, we’ve faced this before. It helps. We’ve been to Game 7 twice, so being down 2-0 isn’t the toughest challenge we’ve encountered. Let’s focus on defending our home court and moving forward. We know they’ll adjust, and so will we.”

The Cavaliers have a solid home record, boasting a 6-1 performance at Rocket Arena, with their only loss occurring in Game 6 against the Pistons in the second round.

After falling behind 0-2, they demonstrated their potential by winning three straight games in the final round, even though they ultimately dropped Game 6 and lost Game 7 in Detroit.

As such, Game 3 of the conference finals on Saturday carries significant weight. It’s tough to picture the Knicks slowing their momentum, especially with their impressive nine-game winning streak. They seem so close to reaching the finals for the first time this century.

Yet, just one game can completely shift the series’ dynamics. If the Knicks take Game 3, they could solidify their path to the finals. On the other hand, a loss would lead to a tied series, intensifying the pressure on the Knicks as they aim to avoid returning home at 2-2.

Let’s not forget, the Knicks managed to snatch Game 1 with a remarkable comeback, despite the Cavs outscoring them for awhile during that match.

Last year, the Knicks won two games during the conference finals but never led in that series. So, they aren’t much further ahead than they were last year.

“I don’t think we’re any closer than before,” Karl-Anthony Towns shared after Game 2. “To me, it’s 0-0 again. The next game is the most crucial.”

The path ahead seems uncertain. Will the Knicks close it out and secure their advance? Or can the Cavaliers turn things around to make it more competitive?