Knicks take commanding 3-0 lead in Eastern Conference finals after Game 3 win over Cavaliers
- New York beat Cleveland 121-108 on May 23 to take a 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals and move within one win of advancing. - Jalen Brunson scored 30 points as New York won its 10th straight playoff game, while Cleveland shot 12-for-41 from three-point range. - Game 4 is scheduled for Monday, May 25, in Cleveland at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The New York Knicks are one win from the NBA Finals after a 121-108 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals on Saturday, May 23, at Rocket Arena in Cleveland. Jalen Brunson scored 30 points, Mikal Bridges added 22 and OG Anunoby had 21 as New York took a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. NBA.com said the Knicks have won 10 straight playoff games and are seeking their first Finals appearance since 1999. ### How did New York take control of Game 3? New York led from start to finish in Game 3, according to NBA.com’s game recap. The Knicks shot 55.8% from the field, made 11 three-pointers and went 24-for-27 from the foul line in a game that never swung Cleveland’s way. Brunson’s 30 points set the tone, but the scoring was spread across the lineup. (nba.com) NBA.com said six Knicks scored in double figures, with Bridges and Anunoby combining for 43 points on 17-for-25 shooting. ### What went wrong for Cleveland? Cleveland got 24 points from Evan Mobley, 23 from Donovan Mitchell and 19 from James Harden, but its shooting lagged behind New York’s. (nba.com) The Cavaliers went 12-for-41 from three-point range and 12-for-19 at the free-throw line, according to NBA.com. NBA.com’s John Schuhmann wrote that transition play was a major separator. (nba.com) The Knicks outscored the Cavaliers 30-10 in transition in Game 3, after also holding transition edges in the first two games of the series. ### How unusual is a 3-0 lead for this Knicks run? The Knicks’ 10-game playoff winning streak is already in rare company. (nba.com) NBA.com said New York became the seventh team in league history to win at least 10 straight games in a single postseason run, and all but one of those victories have come by double digits. Karl-Anthony Towns, who finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, said the Knicks were focused on the next game rather than the series score. “We have to execute at a high level in Game 4,” Towns said after the win. (nba.com) ### Why were Finals tickets already part of the conversation? USA Today reported on May 24 that conditional Knicks NBA Finals tickets had already gone on sale as New York moved within one win of the conference title. (nba.com) The ticket listings reflected the possibility that Madison Square Garden could host Finals games if the Knicks finish the series and advance. CBS Sports and NBA.com both framed the series the same way after Game 3: New York is one victory from ending a 27-year wait to return to the Finals. The Knicks last reached the championship round in 1999. ### When is the next game? Game 4 is scheduled for Monday, May 25, in Cleveland, with tipoff set for 8 p.m. Eastern on ESPN, according to NBA.com’s playoff schedule. (usatoday.com) If the Cavaliers extend the series, Game 5 would be Wednesday, May 27, at New York, followed by Game 6 on May 29 in Cleveland and Game 7 on May 31 in New York if necessary. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2)
