Knicks rally with an 18-0 run to beat Cavaliers, seize 2-0 series lead

The New York Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-93 on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden, taking a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals. New York turned a tied game into a double-digit lead with an 18-0 run in the third quarter, then held Cleveland to 44 second-half points, according to NBA.com. Josh Hart scored a playoff-career-high 26 points, and Jalen Brunson added a playoff-career-high 14 assists as the Knicks won their ninth straight postseason game. ### How did the game swing so hard after halftime? The score was tied 53-53 in the third quarter before New York broke the game open. NBA.com said the Knicks used an 18-0 run to seize control, and Cleveland “never recouped momentum” after that burst. The Knicks outscored the Cavaliers 32-21 in the third quarter. (nba.com) NBA.com’s live recap said New York kept generating better looks while Cleveland faltered after halftime, and the Cavaliers finished with only 44 points over the final two quarters. ### Who carried New York in Game 2? Josh Hart finished with 26 points and five made 3-pointers, setting a new playoff career high. (nba.com) NBA.com said New York’s starting lineup combined for 96 points and 12 made threes in the win. Jalen Brunson did more of his work as a creator than a closer in this one. (nba.com) Brunson recorded 14 assists, also a playoff career high, as New York spread the offense across its starters instead of relying on one late scoring burst. Karl-Anthony Towns also helped anchor the result. NBA.com’s Game 2 recap led with Towns as one of the players who helped drive the 109-93 victory, while the series page listed Brunson and Hart among the featured postgame performers. (nba.com) ### What did Cleveland get, and where did it fall short? Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points for Cleveland, but the Cavaliers could not match New York’s shot-making after the break. (nba.com) NBA.com said every time Cleveland cut the lead to single digits in the second half, the Knicks answered with baskets that restored separation. The Cavaliers were competitive through the first half and entered the break level. After the third-quarter swing, though, Cleveland spent the rest of the night trying to trim a margin that had already reached 18 points. ### How unusual is New York’s position now? The Knicks are now two wins from the NBA Finals. (nba.com) NBA.com said New York is “in complete control” of the series after taking both games at home, and the league’s playoff page lists the Knicks ahead 2-0 with series averages of 112.0 points per game to Cleveland’s 98.5. New York’s current run has also stretched beyond this series. NBA.com said the Game 2 victory was the Knicks’ ninth straight playoff win. ### When and where is the series headed next? Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday, May 23, in Cleveland. The NBA’s official playoff schedule lists tipoff for 8 p.m. (nba.com) Eastern on ABC, with Game 4 set for Monday, May 25, if the series continues on its current timetable. The rest of the series, if necessary, is scheduled for May 27, May 29 and May 31. (nba.com) The Knicks enter the trip to Cleveland with a 2-0 lead and Cleveland needing its first win of the series at home. (nba.com)