CLEVELAND — Is your job getting harder now? It sure is. The mission becomes even more difficult when Josh Hart is unable to play due to a sprained ankle or is severely limited. Same deal if Julius Randle finds things slowing down in his second game after a long layoff.
Just emphasize your points, underline them, and stamp them in bold.
There are no house money games in the NBA Playoffs.
It’s easy to fall into this trap. Hell, I fell into this trap the other day and called Game 2 of this Knicks-Cavaliers Best of Seven series the “House Money Special.”
However, I learned a few things this weekend.
1. In the NBA, you can beat anyone anytime, anywhere.
2. Anyone can get hurt and suddenly you see a completely different reality.
The Knicks were one of four road teams to win the playoff opener over the weekend, gaining home-court advantage from higher seeds. There was a time when a lower seed beat a higher seed at home in the postseason, raising eyebrows and stopping the press. No longer. And if the Knicks can beat the Cavs in Cleveland, it’s only because the Cavs can easily return the favor at Madison Square Garden.
And then there is home court advantage.
It also made me realize how whimsical the game can be. We saw Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo hobble off the court in Milwaukee on Sunday afternoon. Shortly after, Miami’s Tyler Herro went through a tunnel with a broken hand. Probably the rest of the Lakers and Grizzlies series saw Ja Morant go down. We saw Hart roll his ankle and have to try twice before regaining his leg on Saturday. The adrenaline probably carried him to the final buzzer, but Tuesday’s a different equation.
house money?
There is no such thing. not anymore. The Knicks would be wise to take advantage if the Cavaliers play Game 2 and Donovan as tentatively and nervously as any non-Mitchell player did in Game 1. you don’t you can’t.
Knicks manager Tom Thibodeau said Monday afternoon after Hart attended a limited team practice at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. “So you have to be ready for each game and understand the intensity of each game. You have to think of everything you need to do better to have the best chance of getting a .
“Take it step by step. Don’t skip anything. And get ready for this game. Don’t look ahead. Don’t look behind. Focus on what’s right in front of you.” And hopefully we’ve built that habit all year long.”
Follow The Post’s coverage of the Knicks vs. Cavaliers NBA playoff series
Knicks are particularly well suited for this particular mission. They have his fifth-best loading record in the league this year, 25-17 from Gardens, including Game 1. They have held their own in the game when playing shorthanded this year, whether the missing piece is he Jalen Brunson or Julius Randle, or Mitchell Robinson or RJ Barrett.
Especially good to remember. Despite Saturday’s final score, the Cavaliers won the raffle and fell four games behind the Knicks on the standings. They won 51 games. They are very good and, in honor of Branson, have their best players on the floor whenever Mitchell is on the game.
The Knicks have a real chance here. The FieldHouse crowd goes wild on Tuesday night. Cavs are a little salty. Few people have gathered it to utter a derogatory word about Branson, but Isaac Okoro referred to his “playfulness” when drawing offensive fouls, while Cleveland coach JB Bickerstaff flatly said. It’s that simple. ”
Want to catch the game? The Knicks schedule, including links to purchase tickets, can be found here.
Does that mean the Knicks are in the Cavs’ minds? Probably not. 1 game. But is it possible they are? Knicks need to seize the night. If they can go back to the Garden — frankly, they’re not exactly UCLA with Alcindor Lock — 2-0, they can really think about putting the hammer down. I’m sure.
But 2-0? yes. That would be something else entirely. And 2 for 0 is not something you can get with house money. There is no such thing. not anymore.
