Cavs vs. Knicks preview and gamethread
Who better than to face the ghost of playoffs past?
The Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to continue to get the best of their former playoff bully.
Who: New York Knicks (48-27) vs Cleveland Cavaliers (60-15)
Where: Cleveland, OH - Rocket Arena
When: 7:00 PM EST
TV: ESPN, FanDuel Sports Ohio
Line: Cavs -11
Expected Cavs starting lineup: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
Cavs injury report: Ty Jerome - OUT (knee soreness), Dean Wade - QUESTIONABLE (illness), Luke Tracers - OUT (G League)
Expected Knicks starting lineup: Delon Wright, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns
Knicks injury report: Jalen Brunson - OUT (ankle), Karl-Anthony Towns - PROBABLE (knee), Cameron Payne - OUT (ankle), Miles McBride - OUT (groin), Ariel Hukporti - OUT (ankle), Pacome Dadiet - OUT (G League), Kevin McCullar Jr. - QUESTIONABLE (G League)
What to watch for
Stakes are lessened
The Cavs do have one more matchup on the calendar with the Knicks in the regular season (April 11). The Cavaliers have so far won the first two contests and look to be gaining momentum back after a minor slip in dominance in their trip out west.
The Knicks should have been a good measuring stick for the Cavaliers. They are in the upper crust of the Eastern Conference, have a noted history of being a thorn in the Cavaliers’ side, and are coached to treat every game like an elimination game under coach Tom Thibodeau.
It doesn’t appear that litmus test will be there tonight with the Knicks battling injuries. Last night against the Sixers, Jalen Brunson and Karl Anthony-Towns weren’t able to suit up. Their not being able to go tonight would decrease any lessons to be learned from this matchup.
As it currently stands, the Cavaliers have a four-game lead over the Celtics for the top spot in the East. The Knicks similarly seem set at the three seed in the East, four games above the Pacers in the closing stretch of the season. The only way we will see this playoff matchup is if they knock off the Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals.