Playoff Live Thread: Cavs @ Knicks (ECF Game 1)
2026-05-19Welcome to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in in eight years, Cavs fans. Cleveland travels to Madison Square Garden to take on the mostly healthy Knicks. With O.G. Anunoby probable, the Knicks return to their regular starting lineup. Fortunately, I think the wine and gold match up much better with the Knicks the last two Cavalier opponents. Cleveland has much more size across the lineup than they did two seasons ago, and if they team rebound they should be able to compete. Cleveland’s conditioning is going to be better after two seven game series, and sneaking up on the long rest Knicks is key, especially, in the first and third quarter starts.
Hopefully, JA’s and Mobley’s newfound confidence will carry over, James Harden can box out Hart, Mitchell is the best player from NYC , and Kenny stays with big lineups. If all these things carry the through, then Spida and friends have a good shot. Go Cavs.
What happened to their offense?
Knicks in 4.
Odds of this now very, very good.
Big-time choke job.
We have 9 points in the last 10 minutes.
Mitchell limping.
One of the biggest choke jobs of all time?
For sure.
Why. Is. Harden. On. The. Floor?
He killed us. Still shooting when he is 4 for 20-something. Blame will be there for many on this night.
Good lord. That was one of the worst coached fourth quarters I’ve ever watched
Stealing game 1 is crucial. Letting this slip is unfathomably damaging.
Brutal. This will be two wins for the Knicks if they get it.
If?
They will win by 10.
30-9 over the last 8 minutes.
No points for Motchell in that span?
Goddamit
Why is Harden on the floor?
For Fucks sake,,,that was in….
Why did Donovan defer to Harden to initiate? Why??
Yeah, I don’t understand that at all.
Harden bucket. Brunson ties.
Merrill miss.
OT.
What a huge choke.
…the Christmas game all over, but with Harden.
What a choke
Tie game. 45 seconds left.
Shooting too early.
Knicks chance to tie.
KAT does Cavs a huge favour.
Not getting that rebound hurt.
Go back to the paint. Forget about the threes. Go up strong, get fouls. AND MAKE YOUR GODAMN FREE THROWS.
Huge 3 Mobes.
All jump shots recently.
What the fuck was Kenny waiting for with three timeouts?
Stop walking into the switch. Blitz it.
And now it’s close enough for Brunson to close like he does.
JFC Kenny
Kenny should have called timeout sooner
Two possessions ago.
They just can’t stand prosperity,
Kenny….
Down to 5.
Choke incoming.
In progress.
Waited too long for the timeout
About a century too long.
22 doen to 8 in 4 minutes.
Plenty of time.
Cavs need Merrill on the floor
Lol. Harden.
Get Harden off the floor.
Focus for 7 more minutes. Also, bring Merrill back in.
Gotta imagine he’s going to close the game out with how he’s been playing.
I’ve gotta say, I don’t know if I’ve seen this level of focus from Mitchell. Even if he did just throw it away. He keeps that up and we close this out.
He’s got a real sense of self-belief and belief in the team. Like he knows exactly what to do on each play. Fair to say the funk he was in earlier in the postseason is gone.
2 quick TOs from Mobes & Mitchell.
Down to 17. Almost 7 minutes left.
There will be a run or two left.
Cautiously optimistic
New game: Spot The Celebrity Leaving
James Dean Wade
Shoot the ball D Wade
JAMES DEAN WADE
Lights out these last 2 games. So good to see.
Looks like he fell down in front of Walt Frazier!
2 pts each in the first 3 minutes.
The Marathon shift for Schröder is baffling. Bring in Ellis.
They only have 71 points with under 8 left.
Otger than poor shooting, Dennis has been OK-ish.
He is +1 and has not turned it over.
I’ll give him that.
And finishing
Don’t love the energy here. Harden/ Schröder lineups worry the shit out of me
4 on Soida, Harden, & Strus.
Harden. Dumb. Just two man with Merrill there.
Up 14 after 3.
Ecstatic.
Cavs have to know the Knicks are gonna come out with fire here. Gotta be ready.
Damn. Missed a couple wide open 3s to close out the quarter.
This is the most boring free throw contest I’ve ever watched.
Kenny is drunk.
Why is Mitchell still in with 4?
4 on Mitchell. I don’t love that.
STOP PICKING UP CHEAP FOULS MITCHELL THATS FOUR
Quiet at the Garden right now.
Sweet, sweet silence.
Slicing them up…..
Also Mitch is now 12-32 in the playoffs
12-33
Love the hack-a here. Rest
Why go hack a Mitch up 14?
Rest on D. Don’t let em get a rhythm.
Sam with a 3! Up 14!
That was filthy by Mobley
Fantastic shift by Allen
Lol. Knicks closing out on Schröder for some reason.
Shröder back on. Sigh.
Luckily Mike Brown with an idiotic plan to double Harden LOL
Turned off cloudflare. We’ll see if that helps with the loading.
Thanks Eli!!
Lol I don’t know why it said I was eli.
@nyknicks
On that play, love how Evan pushed it instead of handing it to James.
Then Harden passed back on the rim run for an easy 2 for Mobley on a mismatch