The Knicks capped off a dominant first-round series against the Cavaliers with a 106–95 victory in Game 5 in Cleveland.
Here are the takeaways…
– New York’s usual suspects contributed strong offensive performances, with Jalen Brunson And RJ Barrett scored 23 and 21 points respectively, but that was about it Mitchell Robinson once again emerges as the x-factor with a monster performance of 13 points, 18 rebound, including multiple grueling offensive boards late in the game.
– Cleveland’s stargazers were once again choked by New York’s tight defense, with Donovan Mitchell scored 28 points on 26 shots and Darius sling good for 21 points and six turnovers.
– Immanuel Quickly 19 points added and Obie Toppin scored 12.
– Quentin Grimes missed his second consecutive playoff game with a shoulder injury.
-The game started like many of the past matchups, with three early Cavs wraps and Knicks offensive rebounds. Midway through the period, New York led 14–10.
– JJulius Randle got a lot of touches out of the gates with the Knicks plotting to get him going. He struggled to convert, but set up teammates for five assists. Brunson added 12 on 4-of-4 shooting to give New York a 33-26 lead after one.
– Quickley found his rhythm off the bench with three threes and eleven points in the first half, eight of them in the second quarter. His offensive spark and defensive effectiveness helped the Knicks build a double-digit advantage early in the period.
– New York maintained that lead despite some timely threes from Cleveland’s role players. Randle found success attacking the rim, building 13 in the first half, but rolled his injured ankle as halftime approached. The Knicks led 61–51 at halftime.
– Despite the Randle injury, New York kept pushing. Toppin stepped up in his absence with the first seven points of the second half for the Knicks on corner three, windmill blow and mid-range pull.
– A 7-0 Cavs run cut the lead to single digits, but Toppin countered with another three, then a Brunson steal led to a slam and Toppin got another puncture to respond in kind. Cleveland’s major adjustment on the night remained Ricky Rubio from rotation and insertion Lamar Stevens For the first time.
– Mitchell made a late run with a deep three and free throws to bring Cleveland within 12, 87-75, en route to the fourth.
– A Garland three and mid-range jumper cut the Knicks lead to six. Barrett and Quickley responded with respective trips to the free throw line, and a lob to Robinson cut the lead to 12 midway through the final period. New York never looked back.
Highlights
What’s next
The Knicks will play the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden in the Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday. The match is scheduled for 1:00 PM
