The New York Knicks are now just one win away from their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999 after another dominant playoff performance, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-108 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
What started as a competitive contest quickly turned into another statement win from a Knicks team that suddenly looks unstoppable.
New York has now won 10 straight playoff games and continues finding different ways to overwhelm opponents on both ends of the floor.
Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby helped set the tone early before Jalen Brunson completely took over after halftime.
Bridges finished with 22 points, while Anunoby added 21 points and seven rebounds as the Knicks once again smothered Cleveland defensively. The Cavaliers struggled badly from deep, shooting just 12-41 from three-point range.
Brunson eventually slammed the door shut in the second half, scoring 21 of his game-high 31 points after the break.
“We have a bunch of individuals in that locker room who work really hard, and they’re very psychotic about their work and things they do,” Brunson said following the win. “When their number’s called and when it’s time to go, they’re ready. A lot of real professionals on our roster.”
The Knicks have now won five consecutive playoff games by double digits, becoming just the eighth team in NBA history to accomplish the feat in a single postseason. Several of those previous teams went on to win the NBA championship.
A major part of New York’s postseason dominance has been the depth and energy coach Mike Brown has built throughout the roster. Brown credited lessons learned from coaching under Steve Kerr and Gregg Popovich for helping shape the approach.
“They were guys that went deep into their bench,” Brown said. “They would say, ‘It’s not about now; it’s about the postseason.’ You keep guys engaged by you doing that. That’s something I stole from them.”
That depth showed again Saturday as Landry Shamet knocked down four huge three-pointers off the bench to help New York pull away for good.
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