NBA News NBA News, Match Reports and Updates
CLEVELAND — The message came from the top and trickled down.
The Cavaliers have been here before. They’ve already overcome an 0-2 series deficit this postseason. They’re steadfast that they can do it again.
Advertisement
“OK Cavs fans, feel familiar? Clearly it’s not ideal, but we have done this twice already,” owner Dan Gilbert posted on X after the Knicks’ Game 2 win at Madison Square Garden on Thursday. “We go home, win 2 and then it’s a 3-game series and we win it in 6 or 7. Keep believing. Let Em **C**** Know?”
That sentiment was echoed by the players.
“I think it helps, from a mentality standpoint, this isn’t our first time at it,” Donovan Mitchell said. “This isn’t our first time facing adversity, we’ve been to two Game 7s. So being down 2-0, it’s not the biggest challenge. It’s right here, so let’s go ahead and take advantage of it. I understand that they’re gonna make adjustments, we are as well. … It’s really as simple as we have to protect home court, that’s really it.”
The Cavs have been excellent at home, owning a 6-1 record at Rocket Arena. Their only loss was in Game 6 to the Pistons in the second round.
Donovan Mitchell #45, James Harden #1 ,Max Strus #2 and Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talk during the game against the New York Knicks during Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals on May 21, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NBAE via Getty Images
After falling to an 0-2 deficit, the Cavs won three straight last round before that Game 6 loss, then closed it out in Game 7 in Detroit.
Advertisement
So, Game 3 of these conference finals on Saturday is crucial. It’s hard to see the Knicks, on a historic nine-game winning streak, slowing down. It feels like they are within touching distance of reaching the finals for the first time this century.
But it just takes one game to completely change the tone of a series. Win Game 3, and the Knicks have one foot in the finals. They could even begin thinking about a potential rest advantage once again while the Thunder and Spurs beat each other up over in the West.
Lose Game 3,…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/knicks-acknowledge-game-3-tall-020217897.html
Author :
Publish date : 2026-05-23 02:02:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
