Brunson Big In Playoff Win Over Cleveland
By Andrew Rosario
The New York Knicks did not want to come back to Madison Square Garden to play game 6 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. They took care of business in the town that houses the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, coming away with a 106-95 win and taking the first round series in 5 games. It is the first time the Knicks have advanced to the second round of the playoffs in 10 years.
Unfortunately, the win came at a cost as All-Star forward Julius Randle rolled his left ankle again, had to leave the game and returned to the bench in street clothes. It was the same ankle that caused him to miss the last 5 regular season games. Randle was benched in the fourth quarter of game 4 and he failed to meet the media afterwards. Randle put the benching behind him and was having a solid game. In the 16 minutes he played, Randle scored 13 and dished out 6 assists. His replacement, Obi Toppin filled in admirably, scoring 12 points off the bench and brought the team to its feet with a fast break, windmill dunk.
New York outscored Cleveland in 3 of the four quarters with guard Jalen Brunson leading the team with 23 points. RJ Barrett continued his stellar play, scoring 21 points. Immanuel Quickley once again showed why is in the running for 6th man of the year award as he scored 19 off the bench. Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell led all scorers with 28 points. 3 other Cleveland players scored in double figures as once again their 3-point shooting was horrible. They missed 20 attempts.
The Knicks now face the #8 seed Miami Heat who took out the #1 seed Milwaukee Bucks in 5 games. There is serious playoff history between the two teams. In 29 playoff games, Miami leads the series with a 15-14 record. Howevever, the Knicks have won 3 of the 5 series. They faced each 4 years in a row 1997 through 2000. They last faced each other in 2012 with Miami taking the series 4 games to 1.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau will have to figure out how to contain Miami’s guard Jimmy Butler who scorched the Bucks for 56 points in game 4. The Heat will be without guard Tyler Herro and forward Victor Oladipo both who a big part of their offense. Randall’s status will be a game time decision but given it’s the second time with that injury, it would be a surprise if he played.
With those players and the Knicks defense and bench play, the New York Beacon sees the New York Knicks advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals taking out the Miami Heat in 5 games.
For those of you who have never attended a Knicks/Heat game in Miami, there will just as many fans rooting for the Knicks in what many call “Madison Square Garden South”.
