Knicks Look to Take 2-0 Series Lead Against Cavs

The Cleveland Cavaliers (51-31) take on the New York Knicks (47-35) in game two in the first round of the NBA Playoffs Tuesday night. The Cavs will look to even the series at home against the Knicks.

Game✌️tonight!

How y’all feeling⁉️ pic.twitter.com/Rz3sK3jXjB

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 18, 2023

Game One Recap

The Knicks took a 1-0 series lead after a 101-97 game one win Saturday. Jalen Brunson led the way with 27 points on 11-24 shooting from the field. Julius Randle pitched in with 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Josh Hart had 17 points off the bench. The Knicks were also able to control the boards, outrebounding the Cavaliers 51-38, in the win. A late third quarter surge and 21 second half points from Brunson helped carry New York down the stretch.

For Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland combined for 55 points in the loss. Mitchell scored 38 points, connecting on six 3-pointers, while Garland scored 17 points on 7-13 shooting from the field. Forward Evan Mobley will look to bounce back Tuesday after putting up just eight points in the opening game. Other than Mitchell and Garland, center Jarrett Allen (14 points) was the only other Cavalier to put up double-digit points.

https://twitter.com/cavs/status/1648325733872291840?s=20

Injury Report

Josh Hart was initially listed as doubtful due to a sprained left ankle following game one. However, the Knicks guard is now listed as questionable going into Tuesday’s contest. Knicks forward Isaiah Roby (right ankle sprain) and Cavaliers Guard Dylan Windler (foot) are out.

Josh Hart (sprained left ankle) has been upgraded to questionable for tonight’s Game 2 at Cleveland.

— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) April 18, 2023

The Cavaliers will look to even the series at one apiece Tuesday in what could possibly be a must-win game. Only 32 out of 442 teams in NBA history have come back from down 2-0 in a playoff series, according to Land of Basketball’s database. A loss for Cleveland would leave them in a tough situation heading into a hostile New York environment at Madison Square Garden.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.