Clean wrote:
This is how we got such a good offensive rating with such terrible shooting percentages. I really love the RJ defenders but to make it to the next level we need actual shooting ability. I did like him on defense tonight. Grimes and IQ gotta get out of this funk also.
This team gutted it out on defense. RJ offensively was awful but he played well in other areas.
All the advanced stats, +-, etc……….only one measure mattered. The Final Score!
Garland got shut down, Jhart on Donovan down the stretch, and Clev’s front line got gassed.
Our depth and defense won last night.
Thibs coached it well.
What a great way to start the playoffs! The day was perfect and the city was rocking! Winning the first game is always important since most teams go on to win the series. So many heroes!
Got to start with Brunson. Took over in the second half with 21 points after the zebras took him out of the game in the first half with some questionable fouls but he came out focused and matched Spida basket for basket in the clutch. Most of these games are going to be razor thin close in the final five minutes and it's going be Brunson vs Spida. I like those odds. Spida is a tremendous shot maker but is Brunson! Just cooked Osman one on one and hit that big three over Allen too!
His Villanova bro Hart deserves a ton of credit too cause we do not win this game without him! Made all the hustle plays, played great defense on Spida and made the biggest shot of the game with the three with the clock expiring! My heart did sank when Allen got that tip in and the Cavs took the lead because it looked like Hart hurt his ankle. Thankfully he was OK! I cannot explain just how big this guy is to this team. They have taken his identity. Our hustle and grit has increased dramatically since he's come here. Hart is a winner.
Props to Randle. I knew he would play and great sign that it doesn't appear like that ankle is an issue. He started off really strong and kept us in the game in the first half with 16 points. He struggled with the shot and turnovers in the second half but made some key defensive stops and some great passes. Loved that one to Rob off a drive and pass for a dunk! And Randle had the key offensive rebound too! So proud of Grimes for hitting those two clutch FT's! Being in that situation in your first playoff game as a young player is not easy and he hit them calmly! Obi gave us some good minutes too. And Hartenstein does what Hartenstein does. Key offensive rebound that set up that Brunson layup that gave us that four point lead with 35 secs left.
We won and I do not want to bitch about RJ too much cause he did some good things and led the team in steals and assists but I think I've lost all confidence in him offensively. I just hate it when he has the ball in his hands. And forget about him shooting the ball. It's starting to feel like a miracle whenever a jumper goes in. IQ was equally as bad too. Made some dumb cross court passes but I think he'll bounce back next game.
We had to get one of the first two and we did that. I like where we are. Cavs have Spida but they cannot match our depth and bench production. And like I've said if the game is close, I like our chances with Brunson.
Clean wrote:
This is how we got such a good offensive rating with such terrible shooting percentages. I really love the RJ defenders but to make it to the next level we need actual shooting ability. I did like him on defense tonight. Grimes and IQ gotta get out of this funk also.
Great d by RJ that lead to a shit shot by Mobley. We won this game different then last one without Jules.
Games spaced out really will help him. Game three is not until Friday night!!!
SergioNYK wrote:What a great way to start the playoffs! The day was perfect and the city was rocking! Winning the first game is always important since most teams go on to win the series. So many heroes!Got to start with Brunson. Took over in the second half with 21 points after the zebras took him out of the game in the first half with some questionable fouls but he came out focused and matched Spida basket for basket in the clutch. Most of these games are going to be razor thin close in the final five minutes and it's going be Brunson vs Spida. I like those odds. Spida is a tremendous shot maker but is Brunson! Just cooked Osman one on one and hit that big three over Allen too!
His Villanova bro Hart deserves a ton of credit too cause we do not win this game without him! Made all the hustle plays, played great defense on Spida and made the biggest shot of the game with the three with the clock expiring! My heart did sank when Allen got that tip in and the Cavs took the lead because it looked like Hart hurt his ankle. Thankfully he was OK! I cannot explain just how big this guy is to this team. They have taken his identity. Our hustle and grit has increased dramatically since he's come here. Hart is a winner.
Props to Randle. I knew he would play and great sign that it doesn't appear like that ankle is an issue. He started off really strong and kept us in the game in the first half with 16 points. He struggled with the shot and turnovers in the second half but made some key defensive stops and some great passes. Loved that one to Rob off a drive and pass for a dunk! And Randle had the key offensive rebound too! So proud of Grimes for hitting those two clutch FT's! Being in that situation in your first playoff game as a young player is not easy and he hit them calmly! Obi gave us some good minutes too. And Hartenstein does what Hartenstein does. Key offensive rebound that set up that Brunson layup that gave us that four point lead with 35 secs left.
We won and I do not want to bitch about RJ too much cause he did some good things and led the team in steals and assists but I think I've lost all confidence in him offensively. I just hate it when he has the ball in his hands. And forget about him shooting the ball. It's starting to feel like a miracle whenever a jumper goes in. IQ was equally as bad too. Made some dumb cross court passes but I think he'll bounce back next game.
We had to get one of the first two and we did that. I like where we are. Cavs have Spida but they cannot match our depth and bench production. And like I've said if the game is close, I like our chances with Brunson.
Not only does he start the games threads, top notch recaps too
We need to somehow steal game 2. That could destroy their mental for the rest of the round. There was a report that the Cavs were hoping to avoid us and wanted to play the Nets. Going home up 2 games would make them feel like it's hopeless.
Hartenstein came back in the game in the final 2 mins and it made a huge difference. +5 final 2 mins for the Knicks. He is an impact defender and smart player. Guys like him and Josh Hart add huge basketball IQ to the floor at the end of games.
VDesai wrote:Hartenstein came back in the game in the final 2 mins and it made a huge difference. +5 final 2 mins for the Knicks. He is an impact defender and smart player. Guys like him and Josh Hart add huge basketball IQ to the floor at the end of games.
This was huge IMO. Thought he should have come in a couple of minutes earlier.
I'm a Robinson fan, but iHart's versatility and decision making are great for closing out games.
Brunson and Hart were the two big additions by the Knicks this season and both played a huge part in this win.
ToddTT wrote:VDesai wrote:Hartenstein came back in the game in the final 2 mins and it made a huge difference. +5 final 2 mins for the Knicks. He is an impact defender and smart player. Guys like him and Josh Hart add huge basketball IQ to the floor at the end of games.
This was huge IMO. Thought he should have come in a couple of minutes earlier.
I'm a Robinson fan, but iHart's versatility and decision making are great for closing out games.
Agree with you guy’s —- Hartenstein minutes have been right up there with our most important players.
All over on D, plays high screen/roll great, doesn’t leave his feet much around the basket, crashes both boards and makes offense move/click.
What a pick up he’s been.
Clean wrote:We need to somehow steal game 2. That could destroy their mental for the rest of the round. There was a report that the Cavs were hoping to avoid us and wanted to play the Nets. Going home up 2 games would make them feel like it's hopeless.
Yessir. Every team wants to avoid Thibs and his bad boys.
Ira wrote:Brunson and Hart were the two big additions by the Knicks this season and both played a huge part in this win.
May I add iHart into this equation?
This is the heart of the Knicks strategy on defense IMHO
blkexec wrote:Is it me or does Mobley look and sound soft? Check out his post game interview. I think Randle is a load and tough player for Mobley to defend. Also Mobley always in a help defense position, he allows too many offensive rebounds.
X2 I really don't get all the talk about Mobley being a great player. I haven't seen it vs the Knicks. If he had boxed out Randle, Donovan Mitchell could have tied or won the game. It was a huge and easily preventable mistake.
Negatives- Cavs missed a lot of free throws and shots at the rim yet only lost by 4. They forced a lot of turnovers, but couldn't score off of them.
Positives- Brunson missed most of the first half and IQ had a rough game yet Knicks still won.
I think the RJ turnover numbers are off. He had a bunch but the box score doesn't reflect it. Knicks were in control almost the entire time.
Road teams that win Game 1 win the series 53% of the time. Road teams that go up 2-0 win 90%. All eyes on Game 2. I'm so happy to share this season with the posters on the UK
martin wrote:This is the heart of the Knicks strategy on defense IMHO
Pretty much...Okoro averages about 2 3pt attempts per game and was baited into taking 4 yesterday. He is their best 1 on 1 defender but if his presence on the offensive side of the ball causes a spacing issue for the Cavs which is why he played under 25 mins in game 1. If the Cavs are smart, the game plan should be for Okoro to catch and attack and be more of a play maker which will have us In scramble mode defensively.
Okoro kind of sucks - at least on offense. Cavs will only beat us if Levert and Osman hit some 3s. While Mitchell killed us, Garland did nothing in the 4th and Mobley was not very good. Allen was the only other Cav that truly hurt us.
Hartenstein has really given Mobley problems in the last few games we have played.
SergioNYK wrote:What a great way to start the playoffs! The day was perfect and the city was rocking! Winning the first game is always important since most teams go on to win the series. So many heroes!Got to start with Brunson. Took over in the second half with 21 points after the zebras took him out of the game in the first half with some questionable fouls but he came out focused and matched Spida basket for basket in the clutch. Most of these games are going to be razor thin close in the final five minutes and it's going be Brunson vs Spida. I like those odds. Spida is a tremendous shot maker but is Brunson! Just cooked Osman one on one and hit that big three over Allen too!
His Villanova bro Hart deserves a ton of credit too cause we do not win this game without him! Made all the hustle plays, played great defense on Spida and made the biggest shot of the game with the three with the clock expiring! My heart did sank when Allen got that tip in and the Cavs took the lead because it looked like Hart hurt his ankle. Thankfully he was OK! I cannot explain just how big this guy is to this team. They have taken his identity. Our hustle and grit has increased dramatically since he's come here. Hart is a winner.
Props to Randle. I knew he would play and great sign that it doesn't appear like that ankle is an issue. He started off really strong and kept us in the game in the first half with 16 points. He struggled with the shot and turnovers in the second half but made some key defensive stops and some great passes. Loved that one to Rob off a drive and pass for a dunk! And Randle had the key offensive rebound too! So proud of Grimes for hitting those two clutch FT's! Being in that situation in your first playoff game as a young player is not easy and he hit them calmly! Obi gave us some good minutes too. And Hartenstein does what Hartenstein does. Key offensive rebound that set up that Brunson layup that gave us that four point lead with 35 secs left.
We won and I do not want to bitch about RJ too much cause he did some good things and led the team in steals and assists but I think I've lost all confidence in him offensively. I just hate it when he has the ball in his hands. And forget about him shooting the ball. It's starting to feel like a miracle whenever a jumper goes in. IQ was equally as bad too. Made some dumb cross court passes but I think he'll bounce back next game.
We had to get one of the first two and we did that. I like where we are. Cavs have Spida but they cannot match our depth and bench production. And like I've said if the game is close, I like our chances with Brunson.
Very well stated. i agree with yours position in all these players. I’ll add that Somme of the guys seemed to have the jitters, but man, they are all young. They could make some noise this year and will be experienced playoff vets going forward!
EwingsGlass wrote:SergioNYK wrote:What a great way to start the playoffs! The day was perfect and the city was rocking! Winning the first game is always important since most teams go on to win the series. So many heroes!Got to start with Brunson. Took over in the second half with 21 points after the zebras took him out of the game in the first half with some questionable fouls but he came out focused and matched Spida basket for basket in the clutch. Most of these games are going to be razor thin close in the final five minutes and it's going be Brunson vs Spida. I like those odds. Spida is a tremendous shot maker but is Brunson! Just cooked Osman one on one and hit that big three over Allen too!
His Villanova bro Hart deserves a ton of credit too cause we do not win this game without him! Made all the hustle plays, played great defense on Spida and made the biggest shot of the game with the three with the clock expiring! My heart did sank when Allen got that tip in and the Cavs took the lead because it looked like Hart hurt his ankle. Thankfully he was OK! I cannot explain just how big this guy is to this team. They have taken his identity. Our hustle and grit has increased dramatically since he's come here. Hart is a winner.
Props to Randle. I knew he would play and great sign that it doesn't appear like that ankle is an issue. He started off really strong and kept us in the game in the first half with 16 points. He struggled with the shot and turnovers in the second half but made some key defensive stops and some great passes. Loved that one to Rob off a drive and pass for a dunk! And Randle had the key offensive rebound too! So proud of Grimes for hitting those two clutch FT's! Being in that situation in your first playoff game as a young player is not easy and he hit them calmly! Obi gave us some good minutes too. And Hartenstein does what Hartenstein does. Key offensive rebound that set up that Brunson layup that gave us that four point lead with 35 secs left.
We won and I do not want to bitch about RJ too much cause he did some good things and led the team in steals and assists but I think I've lost all confidence in him offensively. I just hate it when he has the ball in his hands. And forget about him shooting the ball. It's starting to feel like a miracle whenever a jumper goes in. IQ was equally as bad too. Made some dumb cross court passes but I think he'll bounce back next game.
We had to get one of the first two and we did that. I like where we are. Cavs have Spida but they cannot match our depth and bench production. And like I've said if the game is close, I like our chances with Brunson.
Very well stated. i agree with yours position in all these players. I’ll add that Somme of the guys seemed to have the jitters, but man, they are all young. They could make some noise this year and will be experienced playoff vets going forward!
Yeah I have no doubt IQ will bounce back. RJ, not so much. His shooting has reached Elf and Ntilikina level. 
Taking another moment to appreciate this shot - play of game IMO.
Knicks just gave up the lead, Josh was limping off the court, Cavs doing a great job of denying Brunson the ball.
Ok, a little Hart and soul in Cleveland!
Clean wrote:We need to somehow steal game 2. That could destroy their mental for the rest of the round. There was a report that the Cavs were hoping to avoid us and wanted to play the Nets. Going home up 2 games would make them feel like it's hopeless.
If we win game 2 the Cavs are done
