NEW YORK KNICKS erased a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter to score a 115-104 victory over Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday night (Wednesday in the Philippines) in New York.
Down 71-93 with over seven minutes in the fourth quarter, the Knicks leaned on conversions by Jalen Brunson, Landry Shamet, and Karl-Anthony Towns to cut the deficit to 93-97.
After the Cavaliers extended their lead to 99-93 via a basket from Jarrett Allen, the Knicks responded with back-to-back three-pointers from Mikal Bridges to tie the score at 99-all.
James Harden gave Cleveland its last taste of the lead at 101-99 with a layup, but Brunson quickly answered with an inside shot for a 101-all score before Cavaliers’ Sam Merrill missed a three-point attempt.
In overtime, the Knicks surged to a 110-101 advantage on two free throws by OG Anunoby, back-to-back layups by Brunson and Anunoby, and a three-pointer from Shamet.
The Cavaliers made their last push at 104-110 on a three-pointer by Merrill, but consecutive free throws by Anunoby completed the Knicks’ come-from-behind triumph.
Brunson top-scored for the Knicks with 38 points, six assists, and five rebounds, while Bridges contributed 18 markers, including two three-pointers as they took a 1-0 lead in the series.
Towns posted a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds, while Anunoby and Josh Hart also ended with 13 each for the Knicks.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavs with 29 points, James Harden and Evan Mobley added 15 markers apiece, Merrill contributed 12, and Jarrett Allen and Dean Wade ended with 10 apiece./PN
