Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks Game 1 breakdown (NBA Playoffs)
The Cleveland Cavaliers dropped their opening game of the 2023 NBA Playoffs to the New York Knicks. What went wrong for Cleveland? What adjustments can be made?
All the advantages Cavs fans think they have never show when they play them lol the Knicks are just a bad match up for the Cavs they are deeper has a better coach and plays harder
From a not delirious Knicks fan, excellent review. You try very hard to leave bias on the curb with your review. There is going to be a lot of push and pull during this series. It's sure to be a good one as it evolves over the coming games. Keep up the fantastic work.
There's a reason Utah gave up on Mitchell, he's not a winning player. He's fools gold because you think he's a clone of Dwyane Wade but he's more Carmelo Anthony or James harden.
I'm not sure where you are getting your numbers from but this team pre and post adding Josh Hart is like night and day. The Knicks are tied for 5th in the league for EFG% and are 6th in 3PM per game since adding Hart (27 games played in that stretch).
The Knicks had Brunson for only 9 minutes in the first half, a Randle coming off an injury who will only continue to get healthier, and probably the worst performance from Grimes and Quickley in a minute. The offensive rebounding is not a fluke it's something we've done all year. Finally, Brunson and Randle are among the most efficient iso scorers in the NBA.
Meanwhile the Cavs pretty much ran a 7 man rotation and had their core 4 guys with 40+ minutes. If the Knicks bench can put up their normal averages it's going to be very hard to contend with when our starters come back off several minutes of rest.
Any team with Donovan Mitchell is going to be dangerous. I love Mobley and I think he has MVP level potential in the long term. Garland is a stud. I think Jarrett Allen is good but I think it's a wash between him and Robinson (maybe that's the homer in me). The Cavs seriously need Levert and Okoro to step up. I have to imagine the Cavs find a way take game 2 or else they're in serious trouble.
Really interested to see what the adjustments look like in game 2. This is by far the series to watch in the 1st round.
If you say the cavs bench needs to step up, I counter that barrett and grimes needs to step up. If you argue that cavs needs to be more physical, I counter that knicks needs to be more physical in response to the cavs being more physical. Anyway. Knicks in 4
The bench will be the difference in this series. The Knicks boast 3 NBA starters coming off the bench in Hart, Quickley, and Toppin. You could also make a good argument for Isaiah Hartenstein as well. After that you have McBride, and Jericho Sims who are 2 young productive players. Mitchell was himself in this game, but he will not be enough to beat the Knicks alone. I know Cavs fans wont like this, but Knicks in 6…
The biggest issue wasn't Allen/Mobley or Spida/Garland. It was the wings not being able to hit open 3s. NYK defense was hinged on that – give Okoro and LaVert and Ossman those 3s and double team the paint rotating off them. It worked! Those guys are bad 3pt shooters and got exposed. Cavs might get a game or two when 2 of their wings all of a sudden go hot and hit 3s and they will win those.. but stringing together 4 such games? Not very likely. That is the KEY problem on offense. Cavs defense was very solid, especially denying Knicks like JB and Randle scoring in the paint. JB was hitting very difficult midrange shots – off-balance, with a defender up in his face, fade aways, etc. JB is a very good player and will hit his share of those shots but not all of them. If Cavs keep denying Randle his opportunities, it will even the odds, in my view. But lack of 3pt shooting on the wings will not get resolved until adding a proper-fitting piece or two to the roster. Not necessarily all stars but just dependable 3pt shooters.
Nothing went wrong. The Knicks went 3-1 against Cleveland this year. You only have the higher seed because of our late start. And I bet by the end of this seriesā¦.youāll be sure of it. šÆ
24 Comments
^ Hart also had 5 offensive rebounds, tied with Robinson and Mobley
What went wrong? Cavs got matched with the knicks lol knicks in 6!
You guys traded Kevin Love da most experienced player in your team š š¢
Knicks are better. Won 3 of 4 in regular season for a reason. As much as the cavs had a bad game so did the knicks. The knicks are usually way better.
Nothing went wrong. The Knicks are better and have more heart. Letās go Knicks !
Knicks Nation Stand Up … BUNG !!! šÆšÆš£ļøšš¤«šµ
You must be a Cavs fan cause that video had a lot of IF's to happen to beat the Knicks. Wishful thinking, Knicks in 5
All the advantages Cavs fans think they have never show when they play them lol the Knicks are just a bad match up for the Cavs they are deeper has a better coach and plays harder
From a not delirious Knicks fan, excellent review. You try very hard to leave bias on the curb with your review. There is going to be a lot of push and pull during this series. It's sure to be a good one as it evolves over the coming games. Keep up the fantastic work.
What has the cars proved against the knicks this season this ain't a fluke buddy
There's a reason Utah gave up on Mitchell, he's not a winning player. He's fools gold because you think he's a clone of Dwyane Wade but he's more Carmelo Anthony or James harden.
Knick fan here. I come in peace āšæ Knicks >Cavs. Discuss.
Cleveland is 1st and defense but 25th in rebounding. It's going to be rough for them. The seeding is is misleading.
The deeper the better, Knicks in 6
Iām sure knicks are so bad from 3 because RJ got 1 for 11 every game lmfaoooooo
I'm not sure where you are getting your numbers from but this team pre and post adding Josh Hart is like night and day. The Knicks are tied for 5th in the league for EFG% and are 6th in 3PM per game since adding Hart (27 games played in that stretch).
The Knicks had Brunson for only 9 minutes in the first half, a Randle coming off an injury who will only continue to get healthier, and probably the worst performance from Grimes and Quickley in a minute. The offensive rebounding is not a fluke it's something we've done all year. Finally, Brunson and Randle are among the most efficient iso scorers in the NBA.
Meanwhile the Cavs pretty much ran a 7 man rotation and had their core 4 guys with 40+ minutes. If the Knicks bench can put up their normal averages it's going to be very hard to contend with when our starters come back off several minutes of rest.
Any team with Donovan Mitchell is going to be dangerous. I love Mobley and I think he has MVP level potential in the long term. Garland is a stud. I think Jarrett Allen is good but I think it's a wash between him and Robinson (maybe that's the homer in me). The Cavs seriously need Levert and Okoro to step up. I have to imagine the Cavs find a way take game 2 or else they're in serious trouble.
Really interested to see what the adjustments look like in game 2. This is by far the series to watch in the 1st round.
That said, Go Knicks. I think they take it in 6.
great video good analysis, I think Okoro will bounce back considering he was shooting pretty well the last couple of months leading to the playoffs
Coulda woulda shoulda . Stop making excuses for the cavsā¦.. Knicks in 6 !!!
Bailed out.. Donavan bounced ball out of bounds when diving ā¦ no callā¦ is man shoved hart for a off rebound
If you say the cavs bench needs to step up, I counter that barrett and grimes needs to step up. If you argue that cavs needs to be more physical, I counter that knicks needs to be more physical in response to the cavs being more physical. Anyway. Knicks in 4
The bench will be the difference in this series. The Knicks boast 3 NBA starters coming off the bench in Hart, Quickley, and Toppin. You could also make a good argument for Isaiah Hartenstein as well. After that you have McBride, and Jericho Sims who are 2 young productive players. Mitchell was himself in this game, but he will not be enough to beat the Knicks alone. I know Cavs fans wont like this, but Knicks in 6…
The biggest issue wasn't Allen/Mobley or Spida/Garland. It was the wings not being able to hit open 3s. NYK defense was hinged on that – give Okoro and LaVert and Ossman those 3s and double team the paint rotating off them. It worked! Those guys are bad 3pt shooters and got exposed. Cavs might get a game or two when 2 of their wings all of a sudden go hot and hit 3s and they will win those.. but stringing together 4 such games? Not very likely. That is the KEY problem on offense. Cavs defense was very solid, especially denying Knicks like JB and Randle scoring in the paint. JB was hitting very difficult midrange shots – off-balance, with a defender up in his face, fade aways, etc. JB is a very good player and will hit his share of those shots but not all of them. If Cavs keep denying Randle his opportunities, it will even the odds, in my view. But lack of 3pt shooting on the wings will not get resolved until adding a proper-fitting piece or two to the roster. Not necessarily all stars but just dependable 3pt shooters.
Nothing went wrong. The Knicks went 3-1 against Cleveland this year. You only have the higher seed because of our late start. And I bet by the end of this seriesā¦.youāll be sure of it. šÆ
Andā¦.itās ONLY going to get worse. #KNICKSin6