Here’s everything you need to know about Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Cavaliers and Knicks.
CLEVELAND — It’s literally now or never for the Cavaliers.
Down 3-0 to the Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals, Cleveland will literally have to make history, as no NBA team has ever come back from such a deficit to win a best-of-seven series. Meanwhile, New York needs to win just one of the next four games to make the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.
You can view the full series schedule here, along with details on watch parties and giveaways presented by the Cavs.
Here’s everything you need to know about Game 4:
GAME INFO, HOW TO WATCH
Date: Monday, May 25Tipoff: 8 p.m. (ET)Location: Rocket Arena — ClevelandTV: ESPNStreaming: ESPN UnlimitedRadio: WTAM 1100 AM/WMMS 100.7 FM/Cavaliers AudioVerse; ESPN RadioMoneyline: Knicks (-135); Cavaliers (+114)Point spread: Knicks -2.5 (-112); Cavaliers +2.5 (-108)Over/under: 218.5 (-112/-108)Series odds: Knicks (-6000); Cavaliers (+2000)
PREVIEW
Ever since coughing up a 22-point lead in the fourth quarter of Game 1, the Cavaliers have been no match for the Knicks, losing each of the next two matchups by a combined 29 points. Game 3 marked a particular low point, as Cleveland never led once and fell for the second straight time at home in these playoffs — causing many analysts to accuse them of “quitting.”
A particular issue for the Cavs has been 3-point shooting, and on Saturday night they made just 29.3% of their attempts from beyond the arc. Donovan Mitchell and James Harden combined to go 4 of 17, along with 11 turnovers between then. Mitchell also posted a game-worst minus-22 rating.
On the other side, the Knicks have been razor-sharp on offense, shooting over 50% from the field in each of the last two games and an incredible 55.8% in Game 3. Jalen Brunson once again led the way with 30 points and six assists, and Mikal Bridges added 22 points after making 73.3% of his attempts. Bridges also added six rebounds, three steals, and a pair of blocks.
Whether it’s bad execution or bad luck, the Cavaliers are simply getting outclassed by the Knicks right now. With their backs against the wall, however, head coach Kenny Atkinson is using every Clevelander’s favorite buzzword to try to keep his team confident: analytics.
“Analytically … we’re two out of three in the expected (score),” Atkinson told reporters on Sunday in Independence. “If you believe in process and all that, … take that layer.”
Also on Sunday, Mitchell was named second-team All-NBA after making the first team a year ago. It’s the third such honor of his career, and he joins Mark Price and LeBron James as the only players to make the All-NBA team at least three times while wearing a Cleveland uniform.
Following Saturday’s victory, the Knicks have won 10 straight games this postseason and are now 15-2 all-time in five playoff series against the Cavs. New York is in search of its first NBA title since 1973.