The Cavs really missed Allen as they were outrebounded 48-33 and outscored in the paint 54-46. The Knicks had 16 offensive rebounds to the Cavs' 3. The Knicks are 2nd in the NBA in offensive rebound percentage and with Allen out they had little difficulty getting second chances. But Randle was also out so it was even.
You have to hand it to Brunson with a career high 48 points plus 9 assists. Nobody else on the Knicks had more than 14 points. The Cavs handled him in the first three games, holding him to a 15 ppg average. But he was ready to go tonight. Neto was the only guy who slowed him down a little.
Maybe with Allen back they can put Mobley on him if Randle is still out.
I really think the difference was the benches. The four Knicks bench players were all between +11 and +18. All the Cavs bench players were negative except Cedi at +2. Quickley, Hart, and Hartenstein are better than Wade, Rubio, Cedi, Lopez, and Neto. Huge advantage for the Knicks. The Cavs' starters are going to have to play 40+ minutes in the playoffs. They might have to go with the starting five plus LeVert and Osman.
Not having Allen meant JBB had to use Lopez, and he was a -8 in 7 minutes, while Hartenstein was a +15 with 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks. He dominated in the paint.
Nice to see Garland, LeVert, and Cedi all play well. Their numbers were awful against the Knicks so far.
The Knicks are shooting 35.1% on 3's this year but they hit 47% tonight. You can't beat them when they make 17 from deep. That's 52 points when you include the 4-pointer.
Well, the Knicks were looking to make a statement and they did. It's hard to see the Cavs beating them if Randle is back. He's their best player.
That first half was astonishing. We were expecting a low scoring, grind-it-out half court affair like two of the previous games, but the Cavs came out with a franchise record 47-point quarter (and still lost the game). The Knicks, who rank 13th in scoring and missing their leading scorer, put 79 points on the Cavs by halftime. I never would have believed that was possible against the #1 scoring defense in the league, but with Allen out they are a far cry from that.
The Cavs only trailed by 3 at the end of the 3rd, but started the 4th with a really bad lineup of Mitchell, Neto, Cedi, Wade, and Lopez. That 3-point lead quickly became 9 in the first three minutes and then 15. It was obvious their bench was much better.
