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After a forgettable 2021-22 NBA season, the New York Knicks were able to bounce back this year in a highly competitive Eastern Conference to clinch the fifth seed setting up a first-round playoff series with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Although the Knicks are considered the underdogs in this first-round series with the Cavaliers, Julius Randle and company were able to come out on top in Game 1 in Cleveland, proving this could be much more competitive than anticipated.
If the Knicks can take Game 2 before the series shifts back to New York, it’ll be tough for the Cavaliers to get back on track giving Tom Thibodeau’s squad the edge moving forward.
Avid Knicks fan and ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith wants his team to smell the blood in the water in this series and capitalize on the inexperience of Cleveland moving forward.
.@stephenasmith has a message for the Knicks 😂🔥 pic.twitter.com/2jDaUla9xq
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 18, 2023
Even though there’s no doubting the talent on the Cavaliers roster, as Cleveland is arguably one of the most promising young teams in the league right now with a potentially bright future ahead, Donovan Mitchell and company may be outmatched.
The Knicks will be in complete control if they can come out with the win in Game 2, but it will be no easy task, with the Cavaliers almost certainly coming out swinging and ready to even the series up at one game apiece.
The key for Cleveland will be Evan Mobley and Darius Garland getting on track, while New York needs a repeat performance of Game 1 to take a commanding lead in this series.
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