Knicks push Cavaliers to brink with 109-93 Game 3 win, lead series 3-0

The New York Knicks moved within one win of the NBA Finals on May 23, beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-108 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals in Cleveland. Jalen Brunson scored 30 points, Mikal Bridges added 22 and OG Anunoby had 21 as New York took a 3-0 series lead, according to NBA.com. The result gave the Knicks 10 straight playoff wins and left Cleveland facing elimination in Game 4. CBS Sports said New York is one win from its first NBA Finals appearance since 1999. ### How did New York take control in Game 3? Jalen Brunson’s 30 points set the tone for a Knicks offense that shot 56% from the field, 39% from three-point range and 89% from the free-throw line, NBA.com said. New York also put five starters in double figures and finished with 27 assists. (nba.com) Mikal Bridges shot 11-for-15 and finished with 22 points, while OG Anunoby scored 21 and Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 13 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, according to NBA.com. Josh Hart added 12 points, nine rebounds, four assists and five steals. (nba.com) ### Where did the game turn? Fox Sports’ play-by-play summary showed Cleveland tied the game at 48 with 5:40 left in the second quarter. New York then rebuilt control and led 60-54 at halftime before widening the margin in the second half. (nba.com) The Knicks scored 37 points in the first quarter and 31 more in the third, according to Fox Sports. By the final period, New York had enough separation to close out the game without giving back the lead. (foxsports.com) ### What did Cleveland get from its top players? Evan Mobley led Cleveland with 24 points, six rebounds and two assists, NBA.com said. Donovan Mitchell added 23 points, four assists and three steals, while James Harden scored 19 points with five rebounds and five assists. (foxsports.com) Donovan Mitchell also committed five turnovers, according to Fox Sports, while Cleveland finished with 17 turnovers as a team compared with 14 for New York. NBA.com said the Cavaliers had 22 assists but could not match New York’s efficiency. (nba.com) ### How unusual is a 3-0 lead for this Knicks run? NBA.com said New York became the 10th team in league history to win 10 or more straight games in a single postseason. The site also said the Knicks have won five straight road playoff games by at least 10 points, tying an NBA record. (foxsports.com) CBS Sports said the Knicks are back in the conference finals for the second straight season but have not won the East since 1999. That makes Monday’s game their first chance to clinch the conference title in 27 years, according to the network’s playoff schedule page. (nba.com) ### What comes next in the series? CBS Sports listed Game 4 for Monday, May 25, in Cleveland at 8 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. If the Cavaliers extend the series, Game 5 is scheduled for May 27 in New York, followed by Game 6 on May 29 in Cleveland and Game 7 on May 31 in New York. (cbssports.com)