The Knicks’ downtime is nearly over. They’re shifting back into competitive mode.
No more waiting to see who their Eastern Conference Finals foe will be. They’ll soon take on the Cavaliers, who secured their spot by overcoming the Pistons, 125-94, in a decisive Game 7 in Detroit on Sunday.
Game 1 kicks off on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.
Throughout most of the regular season and playoffs, it seemed clear the Knicks would have to face the Celtics and Pistons to reach the Finals. But that’s no longer the case; they’ll skip playing against either.
Now that the teams are set, let’s dive into the key points.
Remaining Elements
The Knicks’ last game was on May 10, which means they’ve enjoyed a full week of rest before Sunday’s matchup. This break is particularly beneficial for OG Anunoby, who missed Games 3 and 4 of the second round due to a right hamstring strain and is still recovering.
In contrast, the Cavaliers will have less than 48 hours before their Game 1 after Sunday’s victory. The two teams enter this series in entirely different situations regarding rest.
“It’s nice to give your body a break,” Miles McBride noted following Friday’s practice. “In a way, you can just watch your opponents wear each other out.”
Karl Anthony Towns’ Transformation
The adjustments the Knicks made to their offense after falling behind 2-1 against the Hawks have been well documented. They prioritized getting Karl-Anthony Towns the ball at his elbow instead of Jalen Brunson, allowing others, including Brunson, to move and screen around him.
But that was against defenders like Onyeka Okongwu and a less formidable Joel Embiid. The conference finals will pose a different challenge.
With Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, the Cavaliers have far more agile and robust defenders than those Towns has faced so far this postseason. Will Towns still be able to dictate offensive plays, or will it restrict his influence?
Knicks’ Perimeter Defense
The Knicks have had a turbulent journey with their perimeter defense this season. They struggled early on but made significant improvements as the year progressed.
CJ McCollum gave them a hard time in the early rounds, but they managed to contain him by switching Josh Hart onto him in the latter stages. In the last round, Mikal Bridges excelled at limiting Tyrese Maxey’s effectiveness.
The Cavaliers boast a dual threat with Donovan Mitchell and James Harden on the perimeter. Bridges is likely to guard Mitchell while Hart might match up with Harden. Anunoby is also an option here.
“The point of attack is crucial, and that’s what matters most,” Towns emphasized Friday. “If our wings and guards can defend well at the perimeter, it not only simplifies my role, but it also elevates our overall team performance.”
Brunson’s Takeover
Dyson Daniels posed some early challenges for Brunson in the first round, but as he often does, Brunson adapted, particularly after the Knicks revamped their offensive strategy. The 76ers had no way to counter him, especially with his performance against VJ Edgecomb.
As the postseason progresses, Brunson is putting up impressive numbers—averaging 27.4 points and 6.1 assists per game while shooting 48.5 percent from the floor and 40.9 percent from beyond the arc.
But how will Dean Wade fare against Brunson this time? Those earlier matchups occurred before the Knicks made their adjustments.
Home Court Advantage
If they had drawn the Pistons, the Knicks would have had to begin this series on the road. Instead, facing the Cavaliers grants them the advantage of playing at home. Starting with the first two games at Madison Square Garden could be significant, given the fatigue the Cavaliers might be feeling after their grueling series. The potential of a Game 7 being at home adds to the stakes.
Mike Brown’s Full-Circle Moment
Brown’s only previous stint as a head coach was with the Cavaliers back in 2007. It would certainly be a poetic turn of events if he could come back and defeat the team that first entrusted him with a coaching role.
