Cleveland CavaliersOpen full analysis
New York KnicksOpen full analysis
The New York Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 115–104 on May 19 at Madison Square Garden, controlling a playoff contest that fell short of the Vegas over-under at 217.5 points. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 38 points, while Mikal Bridges added 18 in a balanced offensive effort; New York shot 47.7 percent from the field and made 10 three-pointers to establish early separation. The Cavaliers, led by Donovan Mitchell's 29 points and Evan Mobley's 15, struggled to maintain rhythm despite launching 16 three-pointers and dishing out 23 assists. Cleveland's third quarter proved costly—they scored 35 points but couldn't sustain that pace, managing just 18 in the fourth and 3 in overtime—while the Knicks' fourth-quarter surge of 32 points proved decisive. New York's defense held Cleveland to 40 percent shooting and forced 19 turnovers, posting a 104.5 offensive rating against a 96.2 defensive rating. The Knicks' balanced attack and fourth-quarter execution kept them competitive in the series.
