New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (R) goes after the ball after Clevland Cavaliers guard James Harden (C) lost it during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals Tuesday in New York. Photo by Sarah Yenesel/EPA
May 20 (UPI) — Coach Mike Brown said exploiting James Harden’s defense was key in the New York Knicks’ record comeback victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.
“It was no secret we were attacking Harden,” Brown told reporters Tuesday in New York.
The Knicks, who trailed by 22 points in the fourth quarter, outscored the Cavaliers 32-18 in the frame to force overtime. They held a 14-3 edge in the bonus period to earn the 115-104 triumph at Madison Square Garden. With the victory, the Knicks clinched the largest comeback playoff win in franchise history.
The epic comeback was the second largest fourth-quarter rally in the history of the NBA playoffs, trailing only the 2012 Los Angeles Clippers’ 24-point comeback win over the Memphis Grizzlies in 2012.
“It’s always special when you give your fans something to cheer for,” Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns said. “It’s been a tough go-around for them for the first three quarters of the game. For us to come into that huddle, with the energy of the fans and the fans really showing us so much love and support, to give them something to cheer for in the fourth.
“It’s always and honor and a privilege to be able to do. This team, all we want to do is make this city proud and bring this city wins. To be able to accomplish that on a night where it didn’t seem like it was going to happen, was an honor. It’s truly something special.”
Brunson applied relentless pressure on Harden in the fourth quarter, when he made 7 of 9 shots for 15 points. The Knicks guard totaled 22 of his 38 points over the final 24 minutes of regulation.
“The ball was going in,” Brunson said on the ESPN broadcast. “I honestly was just trying to get to my spot and make plays.”
Harden, who made 5 of 16 shots for 15 points, gave the Cavaliers a 93-71 advantage with 7:52 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Knicks answered with a 44-11 run to close out their foes. Brunson personally outscored the Cavaliers by six points over the final 12:49.
“Just like we have to figure out different ways to guard Harden and [Donovan] Mitchell, they have to find ways to guard Jalen,” Brown said of the Cavaliers.
Knicks forward OG Anunoby scored nine of his 13 points in overtime. Veteran guard Mikal Bridges totaled 18 points. Towns and forward Josh Hard scored 13 points apiece. Towns also pulled down 13 rebounds.
Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 29 points, but totaled just three between the fourth quarter and overtime. The Cavaliers made just 1 of 7 attempts in the bonus period.
The Knicks (1-0) will host the Cavaliers (0-1) in Game 2 at 8 p.m. EDT Thursday in New York. Game 3 will be Saturday in Cleveland.
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