GangGreenCBus

The New York Knicks when they get to play in front of their home crowd:

CAVS-KNICKS ECF. Predicament: The Knicks’ spacing. The Cavs wont be able to load up as much and if they force the ball out of Brunson’s hands, NY has the weapons to punish. There will be a lot more switching and more selective trapping for both teams. Probably: Cavs’ pick-and-roll game will finally open up with Brunson and KAT on the court. If the Knicks commit to switching and dare the Cavs to out-iso Brunson… I’ll take my odds with Donovan and Harden. Potentially: Mobley/Allen ending the narratives that haunt them from 2023. Before you laugh, just remember that Duren will lose millions on his next contract because of what this front court did to him in round 2. Prediction: The lights were too bright for the Cavs in ‘23, but these aren’t those same Cavs. These Cavs are deeper, more talented, more experienced, and have made huge strides in their deficiencies. We remember Robinson’s offensive rebounds. Now the Cavs lead the playoffs in off reb%. We remember Donovan getting double-teamed 90% of the time. Today if you do that, then your second best defender has to guard James Harden with better spacing. We remember the Cavs’ mental collapses, even in these playoffs! But also, in these playoffs, the Cavs have won games and series they would have lost in the past. I feel good. Cavs in 6 good.

I’m gonna say it… The Knicks are a great matchup for Cleveland. Brunson is going to be brought into every action and have to defend Harden/Mitchell They don’t have an Ausar/Scottie Barnes level defender for Mitchell if they want to keep OG on Mobley Dean Wade has given Brunson hell defensively Having Mobley roaming when KAT brings the center out and tries to facilitate will limit those sets. Knicks only chance is magnet ball.