It’s the ric-rac confrontation on this side of the table. When on the other side, Suns and Clippers, Grizzlies and Lakers, Kings and Warriors are regarding to smack each other in the face with a hell of a dose of uncertainty around the favorite of each opposition, the hierarchy is more established in the East . More established, except for this Cavaliers – Knicks, saving series of a conference that lacked spice.
To find the predictions of the editorial staff, it’s here!
Regular season matches
- Cavaliers 121-108 Knicks
- Knicks 92-81 Cavaliers
- Knicks 105-103 Cavaliers
- Cavaliers 116-130 Knicks
Small favorite, big outsider
A season off and the Knicks are back, stronger than two years ago, determined to turn the corner.
And what a course. The Cavaliers qualified for the Playoffs for the first time since 2018. The squad hasn’t been as complete as it has been in… it’s been a while. Under LeBron’s leadership, there was a greater lack of personnel off the bench. This season, it’s the opposite. Plenty of quality players but not a credible candidate for the « All-NBA First Team ». Donovan Mitchell is a good All-Star, Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland joined the star clan last season. However, the Knicks – who have “only” Julius Randle to place in this same family of recent All-Stars – would be right to believe in their chances. The Cavaliers have shown that they are absolutely not one of those untouchable teams on the road, with a record of 20 wins for 21 losses on the road. No one is unaware of the dress that Madison Square Garden wears in the Playoffs: a kind of breastplate that ignites on command. The slightest trick from Immanuel Quickley might plunge Cleveland into doubt. The Cavaliers have not won at the Garden since April 2, 2022. The time to end this start to the dark series seems to be the right one.
At instant T, JB Bickerstaff has no uncertainty (and still) only the presence of Isaac Okoro in his group. According to ESPN, the small Cavaliers winger should still take part at the start of the series. For Julius Randle, the situation is more delicate. Hit in the ankle, the New York All-Star has not yet resumed contact training. According to Ian Bagley of SNY, participation in match 1 seems compromised. So frustrating. It distorts a whole series.
Not utopian but will we see Evan Fournier get closer to the floor in this series? We can always dream of a scenario in which the Frenchman comes off the bench once in the 4th quarter, and by three or four bomblets allows a New York comeback. But as said, it’s probably utopian.
Donovan Mitchell’s back-to-back Playoffs failures – late Jazz period – first comeback in postseason of the Cavaliers since the departure of LeBron James, the Knicks finally at the level of their fans’ expectations, Julius Randle reconciled with his public, Jalen Brunson in a new role, Evan Mobley to… confirm his DPOY trimmed season? Place your bets, and above all, enjoy this series to the fullest. Don’t miss a beat.
THE SERIES PROGRAM
- Game 1, in Cleveland on the night of Saturday April 15 to Sunday April 16, midnight
- Game 2, in Cleveland on the night of Tuesday April 18 to Wednesday April 19, 1:30 a.m.
- Game 3, in New York on the night of Friday April 21 to Saturday April 22, 2:30 a.m.
- Game 4, in New York (and at the Grand Rex) on Sunday April 23, 7 p.m.
- Game 5, in Cleveland on Wednesday, April 26, time to be determined*
- Game 6, in New York on Friday, April 28, time to be determined*
- Game 7, in Cleveland on Sunday, April 30, time to be determined*
*If necessary
