Knicks' OG Anunoby probable for Game 1

OG Anunoby is set to be a central part of New York’s Game 1 picture after the Knicks listed the forward as probable for Tuesday night’s Eastern Conference finals opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden. Yahoo Sports reported Anunoby said he was “feeling good,” and the designation came after he returned to full practice ahead of the series. (sports.yahoo.com) Tuesday’s opener starts a best-of-seven matchup between the No. 3 Knicks and the Cavaliers, with New York back in the conference finals for a second straight year. (northjersey.com) The NBA’s official playoff schedule lists Game 1 for May 19 in New York. ### Why is Anunoby’s status the first thing to watch? (cbssports.com) OG Anunoby’s availability matters because he had missed the Knicks’ final two games of the previous round with a hamstring issue before returning to full work this week. Yahoo Sports reported the Knicks listed him as probable on Monday afternoon, and other reports tied the designation to progress after practice. The Knicks have leaned on Anunoby as one of their top two-way players during the postseason. (sports.yahoo.com) His expected return gives New York another perimeter defender against a Cleveland team built around Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. That defensive framing is an inference based on Anunoby’s role and Cleveland’s backcourt personnel. (nba.com) ### How strong has New York’s playoff run been? NorthJersey reported New York entered the series having won eight of its first 10 playoff games. That stretch included a four-game sweep in the previous round, a result that gave the Knicks extra rest before the conference finals. (sports.yahoo.com) CBS Sports described the Knicks as trying to take a 1-0 lead after returning to the Eastern Conference finals for the second year in a row. WKYC also said this is New York’s second straight trip to the league’s final four under first-year coach Mike Brown. ### What is Cleveland bringing into Game 1? (nbcsports.com) Larry Nance Jr. was listed as questionable for Cleveland entering Tuesday’s game, according to injury reports cited by CBS Sports and SportsGrid. Cleveland reached this round after a longer path than New York, with coverage noting the Cavaliers’ previous series went seven games. (northjersey.com) WKYC said Brown previously coached Cleveland and led the franchise to its first NBA Finals appearance, adding another layer to the matchup. The Cavaliers are trying to open the series on the road against a Knicks team that has home court for the first two games. (cbssports.com) ### What does the schedule look like from here? Madison Square Garden hosts Game 1 on Tuesday and Game 2 on Thursday before the series shifts to Cleveland for Games 3 and 4. NBA.com and multiple local schedule reports list the series in a 2-2-1-1-1 format if it goes the distance. Tuesday’s tipoff is set for 8 p.m. Eastern, according to game listings published ahead of the opener. (sportsgrid.com) If Anunoby plays as expected, his first test comes immediately against a Cavaliers team opening the East finals on the road with Nance still uncertain. (sportsbookwire.usatoday.com) (nba.com) (wkyc.com)