Knicks take 2-0 series lead, rout Cavaliers 109-83 in Game 2

The New York Knicks returned home for Game 2 on Thursday night needing a steadier follow-up than the rally that saved them in the opener. They got it. New York beat Cleveland 109-93 at Madison Square Garden to take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals, with Josh Hart delivering a playoff career-high 26 points and the Knicks turning a close game into a runaway in the third quarter. (nba.com) (amny.com) The result pushed New York’s winning streak to nine games and moved the Knicks within two wins of their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999, according to NBC New York and NBA.com. Cleveland, which had a chance to split the first two games on the road, now heads home needing a response in Game 3 on Saturday. (nbcnewyork.com) ### How did New York avoid another late scramble? The Knicks led by only a handful of possessions before the game swung decisively in the third quarter. An 18-0 New York run turned a competitive game into a 71-53 advantage, and the Cavaliers never fully recovered. (nba.com) Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson were central to that stretch. Hart finished 5-for-11 from 3-point range and added seven assists, while Brunson’s playmaking helped keep Cleveland from loading up on one scorer after his Game 1 takeover. NBA.com said New York’s starting lineup set the tone in the win. (nbcnewyork.com) ### Why was Hart the key name from Game 2? Hart had been a focus after Game 1, when ESPN said he was benched late before responding in the next game with what it called a turnaround performance. In Game 2, he answered with his highest point total of this postseason and a playoff career high overall. (cbsnews.com) “I knew I had to just keep shooting and if I did that I’d be good,” Hart told NBC New York after the game. His shooting gave New York needed spacing, and his activity on both ends fit the broader pattern of the Knicks getting production beyond Brunson. (amny.com) ### What did the final score say about Cleveland’s night? Cleveland scored 93 points after putting up 104 in its Game 1 overtime loss. The Cavaliers stayed within range for stretches, but New York’s defense tightened after halftime and the Knicks answered when Cleveland briefly cut the deficit in the fourth quarter. (nytimes.com) Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers now face the immediate problem of protecting home court after dropping both games in New York. The NBA’s official game page listed the series at 2-0 after Thursday’s result. (nbcnewyork.com) ### How unusual is this spot for the Knicks? NBA.com said the win put New York two victories from the NBA Finals. ESPN’s report, cited in the source briefing, said it is the first time since 1994 that the Knicks have held a 2-0 lead in the conference finals. The contrast with Game 1 also mattered. The Athletic’s live coverage noted that New York had needed a historic comeback in the opener after trailing by 22 points in the fourth quarter; Game 2 gave the Knicks a much cleaner template, with control established before the closing minutes. (nba.com) ### What comes next when the series shifts? Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday in Cleveland, with ESPN’s schedule page listing the next playoff dates and NBC New York saying the road game is set for 8 p.m. The Knicks will try to extend a nine-game winning streak, while the Cavaliers will try to cut the series deficit before a possible Game 4 on their home floor. (nba.com) (espn.com) (nytimes.com)