Game 4: Knicks defeat Cavaliers 102-93, take 3-1 series lead

Cavs at Knicks: Verizon Game Rewind

The New York Knicks are one game away to secure NBA playoffs second round after beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 102-93 on Sunday night. Point guard Jalen Brunson contributed 29 points to the team, while small forward Rowan Alexander “RJ” Barrett Jr. scored 26 points.

Brunson said that even though his team emerged victorious, there was still no reason to “celebrate” or be “truly happy about” since the series is not finished yet.

The Knicks’ fifth-seeded team added shooting guard Josh Hart to the starting lineup — who scored 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds. If the team wins against Cleveland on Wednesday, it will mark the first time they advance to the second round of the playoffs since 2013.

Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau shared his thoughts that there’s nothing quite like a “big game” at Madison Square Garden as the team prepares for Game 5.

Game’s recap

During the game, New York successfully contained Cleveland’s All-Star Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell had one of the poorest postseason performances of his career — scoring only 11 points while making 5 of 18 shots.

Cavs guard Darius Garland rebounded nicely from his poor showing in Game 3 and recorded 23 points and ten assists. Center Jarrett Allen and shooting guard Caris LeVert also contributed to Cleveland’s score by adding 14 points to the tally.

Despite struggling in the two games played at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse arena, Barrett’s performance improved significantly when back in New York. The fans even chanted his name during the second half.

By scoring five straight points, the Canadian international contributed to breaking the 75-all tie and later scored another basket. During a span in which the Cavs could only muster two baskets in more than four minutes, this score helped push the advantage to 90-81. Hart also added a basket to the team’s score during this crucial period.

The Knicks had restricted the Cavaliers to only 79 points in the previous game — the lowest score in any NBA game this season.

Game 5 will return to Cleveland this Wednesday.