The NBA playoffs are underway, and excitement levels are at an all-time high. The series to watch in the Eastern Conference is between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks. Two equally matched teams are battling it out for a place in the semi-finals.
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Cleveland Cavaliers led by their star guard Donovan Mitchell have been playing great basketball this season. One of the few teams to play two seven-foot players in today’s era, the Cavaliers dominate the paint with their size. They also have solid depth off the bench.
New York Knicks, on the other hand, has been a revelation this season owing to their off-season acquisition of Jalen Brunson. With a contract that many considered bloated, Brunson has shut everyone with his game. With Julius Randle and Josh Hart playing at an elite level, the Knicks have arrived at the big stage.
Shaquille O’Neal’s advice to Donovan Mitchell
With the first two games split at Cleveland, the drama moves to the ‘Mecca of Basketball’ – Madison Square Garden. Shaquille O’Neal has a lot of experience playing in the arena and has some advice for Mitchell on combating the pressure. Here is what he had to say on the show ‘NBA on TNT’:
““If you’re Donovan & Garland…you don’t let that bother you, all that Mecca of basketball, forget all that. Take it to them, take it to them early, get the crowd out of the game, and you have a shot…The greatest players have put up some great numbers at the Garden. You step up to the challenge. You don’t let all that New York hoopla fool you”
Charles Barkley: “New York was always a fantastic place to play when they had good teams. Now they got another good team. I’m excited. I’m excited for that game”
Shaquille O’Neal: “If you’re Donovan & Garland…you don’t let that bother you, all that Mecca of basketball, forget… pic.twitter.com/nb0cH1PTTs
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 21, 2023
The home of the New York Knicks team is known for its larger-than-life atmosphere, and the crowd is expected to be rolling from the get-go.
The Garden has hosted some of the greatest basketball games in history such as Michael Jordan’s 55 points and Kobe Bryant’s 61 points. The stage could get overwhelming for any player, but it also provides the stars with an opportunity to shine in the brightest of lights.
Where does the series stand currently?
The Eastern Conference’s first-round matchup between the two teams is currently split at 1-1 apiece. The first game saw the Knicks win in the dying moments when Brunson hit a 2-point shot to put his team ahead by four with 35.4 seconds remaining on the clock. An intense game right from the jump that ended in a four-point victory for the New York team.
The Cavaliers came back strong in the second game blowing the opposition out by 17 points. Darius Garland emerged as the highest scorer for the home team with 32 points and was helped by Caris LeVert with 24 points off the bench. It proved to be an easy win for Cleveland as the road team could not get itself going.
With a semi-final berth on the line, it will be fascinating to see what the series has in store for us at Madison Square Garden. Expect the fans to be loud and in high spirits while supporting their players.
