Knicks face Cavaliers Game 2

The New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers return to Madison Square Garden on Thursday for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals after New York’s 115-104 overtime win in Game 1. NBA.com said the Knicks erased a 22-point deficit in Tuesday’s opener before pulling away in overtime. The result gave New York a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series and shifted attention to how Cleveland responds two days later. CBS Sports and ESPN both published Game 2 previews on May 21 as bettors and analysts reset around the rematch. ### How big was the Knicks’ Game 1 comeback? NBA.com described the opener as a 22-point comeback, with New York rallying late and then outscoring Cleveland in overtime to take the series lead. The final score was 115-104 after the Knicks forced extra time at home. CBS Sports said New York was down 22 points with less than eight minutes remaining before forcing overtime. (nba.com) In a separate Game 2 betting preview, the outlet said the Knicks outscored the Cavaliers 14-3 in overtime. ### Why are commentators focusing so much on Cleveland’s response? Dan Patrick said on his May 20 show that Cleveland’s collapse felt like “one and a half losses” because the Cavaliers not only dropped Game 1 but also surrendered a large late lead. (nba.com) NBC Sports, which carried the segment, framed the result as an improbable Knicks comeback against a Cleveland team that had controlled much of the game. (cbssports.com) The media attention around Game 2 reflects that swing. CBS Sports said Cleveland now faces the risk of falling behind 2-0 before the series shifts to Ohio, while New York has the chance to protect home court again. ### What do the Game 2 previews say? CBS Sports said on May 21 that Game 2 was the immediate focus for picks and odds coverage, with separate preview pieces outlining best bets and matchup projections for Thursday night. (nbcsports.com) One preview said the Knicks were trying to take a “commanding series lead,” while another described Cleveland as needing a bounce-back after the overtime loss. (cbssports.com) ESPN’s playoff coverage listed the Knicks-Cavaliers series among the two conference finals underway and noted the 2-2-1-1-1 format, with the better-seeded team hosting Games 1, 2, 5 and 7. That structure makes Thursday’s game the Cavaliers’ last chance to avoid heading home down two games. ### Where does Game 2 fit in the broader playoff picture? (cbssports.com) CBS Sports said four teams remained in the 2026 NBA playoffs as of May 21: the Knicks and Cavaliers in the East, and the Spurs and Thunder in the West. ESPN’s conference-finals and playoff schedule pages likewise placed New York-Cleveland at the center of Thursday’s slate. Fox Sports’ game page listed Cavaliers-Knicks Game 2 for May 21, 2026, adding another schedule reference for the rematch in New York. (espn.com) ### What comes next after Thursday night? Thursday, May 21, is the next scheduled game in the series, with Cleveland trying to level the Eastern Conference finals and New York trying to carry a 2-0 lead out of Madison Square Garden. (cbssports.com) ESPN schedule pages and CBS Sports game previews were both updated on May 21, with the Knicks and Cavaliers still the named participants in the next step of the series. (espn.com) (foxsports.com)