The New York Knicks returned home for Game 3 of their NBA playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers and put forth an old-school performance.
The Knicks allowed just 79 points on Friday, the fewest points allowed in an NBA game this season.
Fans of the New York Knicks are seen during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden, New York City. Filmmaker Shelton Jackson “Spike” Lee watches the game in a Knicks jersey. (Selcuk Acar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
In today’s NBA, with both teams regularly scoring in the 100’s as three-pointers rain down, New York became the first team in either the playoffs or the NBA’s regular season to hold a team under 80 points.
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“I thought we had good overall activity,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said, according to ESPN. “Good intensity, guys were connected, did a good job challenging shots and finishing.”
The Cavs struggled all night from the floor, going 31-80 from the field while shooting just 21.2% from beyond the three-point line.
“We were locked in,” Knicks guard Jalen Brunson said. “Just a credit to the coaching staff, getting us ready and everyone just locking in on our game plan and executing and everyone on the same page.”
Jalen Brunson, #11 of the New York Knicks, celebrates during Round One, Game Three of the 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 21, 2023, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
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New York also forced 20 Cleveland turnovers and turned them into 28 points.
“I think early on, it was the nerves,” Cleveland head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “As the game progressed, it was more about trust than anything. We stopped trusting in doing the right thing and just tried to do a lot on our own. Once that happens, it starts to leak into our defense, the same thing. We’re not in our spots, we’re not doing the things that we need to do in order to get the stops that we’re capable of getting.”
Spike Lee celebrates during Round One, Game Three of the 2023 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks on April 21, 2023, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Cavs had just 32 points at halftime, making just 13 shots and committing 12 turnovers.
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“It was nasty, like a lot of games have been with them this season,” Cavs guard Caris LeVert said.
The Knicks and Cavaliers play Game 4 of their first-round series on Sunday at 1:00 p.m ET.
