Cavs-Knicks Game 2 instant reaction. Cavaliers have issues to sort quickly
Beacon Journal writer Ryan Lewis gives his instant reaction and analysis to Cavs-Knicks Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals from New York.
NEW YORK — The Cavaliers entered Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals looking to rebound from one of the most back-breaking losses in recent NBA history . In Game 1 , the Cavs led by 22 points in the fourth quarter and analytically had a 99. 9% chance of stealing a game in New York before Jalen Brunson tore apart James Harden and the Cleveland defense en route to a wild overtime win.
In Game 2 , the Knicks used an 18-0 third-quarter run to take command en route to a 109-93 win to take a 2-0 series lead. Game 3 is set for May 23 at Rocket Arena. Here is an instant reaction to Cavs-Knicks Game 2 from Beacon Journal writer Ryan Lewis.
Cavs vs Knicks Game 2: Ryan Lewis' instant reaction The Cavaliers have a few trending issues to sort out as soon as possible. The first is that the Knicks have now put together at least an 18-0 run in both games in this series. With a team with as much talent as the Knicks, runs like that will likely win any game (or build a commanding lead).
The Knicks have rode waves of momentum to a 2-0 series lead, and if the Cavs are unable to stop those kinds of runs, they're in major trouble. The second is that although Donovan Mitchell still was an impactful scorer, he hasn't been playing nearly as downhill as he was in the Detroit Pistons series, and especially not as much in Game 7. It's unclear if anything is bothering him health-wise — especially an ankle — but he clearly hasn't had the same level of aggressiveness with the ball.