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It’s been a long time since the Knicks played a basketball game. By the time the Knicks face the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday, New York will be nine days removed from its last game. Though rest is important, it will be interesting to see how New York looks after a lengthy break.
Led by Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, the Cavaliers just finished up a grueling seven-game series against the Detroit Pistons. With four past and present All-Stars on the roster, Cleveland has a good mix of talent and should be a tough challenge for the Knicks.
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Here are some keys to watch for in the series opener.
The possession game
One category the Knicks can take control of in this series is possessions. Cleveland has the second-highest turnover rate (17.0 percent) among all 16 teams, according to NBA Stats. The Cavaliers also have the third-lowest defensive rebound rate (65.2 percent).
Cleveland’s starting lineup features two big men in Mobley and Jarrett Allen, but they still are susceptible to giving up offensive rebounds. Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson could both feast on the offensive glass during this series.
In fact, it was Robinson who dominated with 29 offensive caroms in New York’s 2023 4-1 first round series win against the Cavaliers. We could see more of Towns and Robinson on the floor together in this series. Through the first two rounds, the pairing has only seen the floor for 11 minutes, per NBA Stats.
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Cleveland took care of the ball in the regular season, finishing ninth in turnover rate. But the playoffs have seen their opponents exert extra pressure with strategies like pressing full court. The Knicks could follow suit and apply more pressure.
OG Anunoby
New York was able to thrive with or without Anunoby in the playoffs. Though the Knicks won without Anunoby in the final two games of their 4-0 series sweep of the 76ers, they will need the two-way player to have control in this conference finals.
Anunoby is expected to return for Game 1 on Tuesday from a right hamstring injury. He was a full participant in practice late…
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Publish date : 2026-05-18 12:49:00
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