Only one win stands between the Knicks and the NBA Finals. After Saturday night’s Game 3 121-108 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York is up 3-0 with a chance to close out the Eastern Conference Finals on Monday night in Cleveland.
New York got out to run early and often. Six Knicks scored in double figures, led by Jalen Brunson’s 30 points. The Knicks have continued to be impressive. New York has won 10 consecutive playoff games, including five straight road wins, all by double figures.
New York hasn’t advanced to the NBA Finals since 1999. So a win in Game 4 would be a momentous occasion for the franchise. These are the keys to closing out the series on Monday.
Pushing the pace
Game 3 saw the Knicks make a concerted effort to get easy looks by pushing off turnovers and misses. They also ran off of Cleveland’s makes. In the first quarter, New York scored several easy baskets in transition that set the tone for the rest of the game.
The Knicks had the advantage, outscoring Cleveland 17-4 in fastbreak points. The Cavaliers play two big men in their starting lineup, and it’s safe to say James Harden isn’t the most agile guard in the NBA. The Knicks took advantage of that on Saturday.
Transition has been a large piece of New York’s success in the postseason: 13.8 percent of New York’s points come from the fastbreak per NBA Stats. That’s the fourth-highest mark among all 16 playoff teams. The Knicks lead all teams in fastbreak points per 100 possessions (17.0). They also prevent the opposition from leak-outs, giving up just 9.8 fastbreak points per 100 possessions, the third-lowest figure in the playoffs.
If New York keeps pushing the ball on Monday, there’s a good chance they will be representing the East in the NBA Finals.
Elite shot-making
One of the Knicks’ best transition weapons is Mikal Bridges. The starting wing was everywhere on Saturday, making cuts off the ball, pulling up as a shooter and hounding Harden all night. Those were just a few of the tasks Bridges was occupied with during the night.
Bridges finished the game with a full stat sheet, recording 22 points, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks. During the conference finals, Bridges is averaging 19.7 points and 4.7 rebounds. His scoring efficiency is off the charts. Bridges shot 11-for-15 from the field (73.3 percent) in Game 3. He’s a scorching 27-for-38 from the field (71 percent) in the conference finals.
Bridges, who was my X-Factor for this series, has been a marvel to watch. He covers so much ground sprinting from end-to-end. Bridges has also taken on the task of defending Harden, after checking Tyrese Maxey in the second round.
Sham-wow
Landry Shamet’s season has been a year of ups and downs. He began the year winning the last roster spot in preseason after veteran Malcolm Brogdon suddenly retired. Shamet became a crucial part of the Knicks roster during the regular season.
He fell out of the rotation early in New York’s first round series against the Atlanta Hawks. Shamet later worked his way back to consistent minutes in the second round.
Now, Shamet is stepping up at the most important time of the year. First, the 6-foot-5 guard knocked down a clutch three to send the game into overtime in New York’s series opening win on Tuesday. He followed that up with 14 points on Saturday, knocking down four three-pointers. Three of the long distance field goals came in the fourth quarter as Shamet helped New York keep a potential Cleveland rally at bay.
The Knicks have needed Shamet’s two-way skills off the bench in the conference finals. He spaces the floor with a quick release. His scoring numbers in the series are modest (7.7 points), but his outside shooting earns respect from opposing defenses. Shamet’s also been up to the task of defending Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell.
Shamet has earned his minutes going forward, and his solid two-way play should continue to impact the series in Game 4.
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