Live Thread: Knicks @ Cavs, NBA Playoffs Game 5

Good evening CtB!

The Cavs welcome the New York Knicks to the shores of Lake Erie to stave off elimination from the 2023 NBA Playoffs and send this series back to New York and add pressure to the Knicks to close the series. The two main stories of the series has been the putrid offense and defensive rebounding of the Cavs to this point. The Cavs have shot the second fewest threes among playoff teams and have made only 31% of the attempts. Somehow the Knicks have been a worse three point shooting team, but make up for it with their hustle on the offensive glass.

The Cavs’ shooting stinks in general from the field because the Knicks are constantly packing the paint with all five defenders to prevent attempts at the rim. If the Cavs want to get to game six, they need to start bombing away from three… particularly Darius Garland, Caris LeVert, and Donovan Mitchell. That’s how they won game two, and that’s the only way to get the Knicks to stop collapsing to the paint on defense. Also in that game, Danny Green played 20 minutes. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff might want to think about riding him to space the floor.

Tip off is scheduled for 7:00PM Eastern time and will be broadcasted live on Bally Sports Ohio/Great Lakes as well nationally televised on NBATV, Go Cavs!