Knicks take 2-0 East semifinals lead with Game 2 win over Cavaliers

The New York Knicks took a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals with a 109-93 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden. Josh Hart scored a playoff career-high 26 points, and Jalen Brunson finished with 19 points and 14 assists as New York moved two wins from its first NBA Finals appearance since 1999. The result gave the Knicks their ninth straight playoff victory, and NBA.com said New York’s starting lineup accounted for 96 points in Game 2. ### How did New York take control this time? New York turned the game in the third quarter with an 18-0 run that broke open a close contest and pushed the Knicks to a lead Cleveland never seriously threatened again. Fox Sports’ play-by-play showed the burst took the score to 71-56, and NBC New York reported Hart hit two 3-pointers during that stretch. (apnews.com) The Knicks did not need a late comeback after rallying from 22 points down in Game 1. The Athletic said Game 1 had required overtime and became the largest playoff comeback in franchise history, but Game 2 was different: New York led by as many as 19 and controlled the second half. (foxsports.com) ### Which Knicks set the tone? Hart led New York in scoring with 26 points and made 5 of 11 shots from 3-point range after missing his first three attempts, according to the Associated Press and NBC New York. Brunson paired his 19 points with 14 assists, repeatedly creating open looks as Cleveland sent extra attention his way. (nytimes.com) NBA.com said the Knicks’ starting five combined for 96 points and 12 made 3-pointers. That production gave New York balanced scoring rather than a one-man night, with Brunson directing the offense and Hart capitalizing on Cleveland’s help defense. ### What did Cleveland get, and what was missing? (apnews.com) Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points for Cleveland, according to NBA.com’s box score, and Darius Garland added 18. But the Cavaliers finished with 93 points after scoring 104 in the Game 1 overtime loss, and they could not match New York’s pace once the Knicks opened the floor in the second half. (nba.com) Cleveland had entered Game 2 trying to recover after letting Game 1 slip away in the fourth quarter. The Athletic described that opener as a historic collapse for the Cavaliers, and Game 2 left them heading home without a split. (nba.com) ### How unusual has this Knicks run become? The Knicks’ nine straight playoff wins have pushed them into rare territory this postseason. Social and media briefings tied to the game said New York’s point differential through 12 playoff games reached plus-221, a figure that placed this run among the strongest starts in league playoff history. (nytimes.com) The Associated Press said the victory left New York halfway to its first Finals berth since 1999. That gives the series a different shape than it had at tipoff Thursday, when Cleveland still had a chance to erase the Game 1 collapse with a road split. (nba.com) ### What changes as the series shifts to Ohio? Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday in Cleveland, with Game 4 also set for the Cavaliers’ home floor, according to NBC New York and the broader playoff schedule listings. The Athletic said Cleveland is 6-1 at home this postseason, giving the Cavaliers a stronger setting as they try to cut into the series. (apnews.com) The NBA Finals are scheduled to begin on June 3, ESPN reported, and New York is now two wins away from claiming the Eastern Conference title. Cleveland’s next chance to respond comes Saturday night at home. (apnews.com) (nbcnewyork.com)