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Breaking down the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers match up

By Chad Porto

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 31: Quentin Grimes #6 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket around Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 31: Quentin Grimes #6 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket around Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks are set to clash.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks will square off in the first round of the NBA Playoffs on Saturday. It’ll be the first game of a seven-game series between two of the most unpredictable teams in the NBA. Both squads have the talent to win the series, and maybe even make some noise in round two against one of the other big three in the East.

Anything can happen. For the Knicks, it’s a two-headed beast with Julius Randle in the low post and Jalen Brunson at the top of the key. Brunson has really stepped up after many in the media thought the Knicks overpaid for him. That may be true still, but if he leads his team to victory against the Cavs, those conversations will go mostly quiet. As for Randle, Kniccks fans are in a love-hate relationship with him. If he plays as he did in the 2020-2021 and 2022-2023 seasons, fans will love him. If he doesn’t, fans will hate him.

The Knicks don’t have much else besides those two, however. R.J. Barrett is one of the worst players in the league and has the worst BPM on the team with anyone with over 1,000 minutes this season. Josh Hart, Immanuel Quickley, and Quenton Grimes are really your next three best players and guys who will hustle their butts off against the Cavs.

The Cleveland Cavaliers, however, are wildly different animals altogether

Who on the Cleveland Cavaliers will step up against the New York Knicks

The Knicks won 47 games for a reason. But the Cavs won 51 games for a reason. The Cavs are not limited offensively, as they have four really good offensive players in their starting five. Darius Garland is a sharpshooter. Donovan Mitchell can score from all over the court. Evan Mobley can work the elbow, mid-range, and the three-point line with ease. While Jarrett Allen is a dominating low-post player and put-back specialist.

Then if you get the Cavs going in transition, Isaac Okoro becomes your primary slasher. Too big, too strong, and too fast to be contained.

While it’s true the Cavs’ bench doesn’t have a lot of scoring, Caris LeVert and Cedi Osman can produce a lot in a short time, and Dean Wade and Ricky Rubio’s defense alone makes them a problem for anyone they’re up against.

It’s going to be a very close encounter that surely will be one for the ages.

Next. 5 Cleveland Cavaliers who shouldn’t be back if they stumble in the playoffs. dark

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