CLEVELAND — A disastrous second quarter for the Knicks ended with an energized crowd chanting together, “New York sucks, New York sucks.”
And at that moment, it was impossible to argue.
The Knicks definitely stunk.
Their first half ended with one cringy possession after another. They were outscored, 15-4, over the final three minutes. They committed nine turnovers just in the second quarter. Josh Hart picked up a technical foul. Darius Garland, a dominant force Tuesday, carved up New York with the precision of a LASIK laser.
New York’s deficit hit 20 at the break and the Knicks never recovered in a Game 2 107-89 blowout defeat Tuesday, knotting up a series that shifts to Madison Square Garden for the next two games.
“The second quarter was probably the difference,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “You let a team go on a run like that, it’s going to be a problem "
The Cavs vowed to get more physical after getting bullied in Game 1. They followed up. Cleveland punished the Knicks, blitzing Jalen Brunson while holding Tom Thibodeau’s squad to just 60 points through three quarters. Julius Randle drew blood in the second quarter on his arm. He was thrown hard to the court with 2:22 remaining by a Flagrant foul on Jarrett Allen, who contested Randle’s dunk attempt while undercutting his legs.
The Knicks, meanwhile, played like they didn’t want to be in Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Randle took an optimistic viewpoint since they snatched homecourt advantage in Game 1.
“At the end of the day, we came here and did what we’re supposed to do. We got one on the road,” Randle said. “In the big picture of things, we have to be positive about that. But obviously got to play a lot better next game.
“I don’t think they bullied us,” the power forward added. “They just responded to our physicality. That’s what you’re supposed to do. In a playoff game, we came and took care of business in Game 1. And they responded. We weren’t expecting the series to be over in 4 or whatever it is. We’re taking it a game at a time. So we just got to adjust and we’ll be fine.”
The putrid play was widespread from the Knicks, who committed 17 turnovers and shot just 36.7%. Brunson and Randle missed a combined 24 of their 37 attempts. Neither had more than 22 points, with Brunson disappearing down the stretch as Cleveland’s defense left him no breathing room. Josh Hart played on a hurt ankle and the Knicks were outscored by 30 points in his 27 minutes. Immanuel Quickley hasn’t handled the pressure of the playoffs well, following up his Game 1 dud with an evening that was only made respectable by a few garbage-time buckets.
“I haven’t played as well as I’ve wanted to obviously,” Quickley said. “Whether you’re missing shots or not, it’s never a reason not to play defense. So just gotta be better, defensively, everybody, but it starts with me. Looking in the mirror and just finding ways to help the team. Just being better overall.”
For the Cavs, Garland was so spectacular (32 points) that Donovan Mitchell only took 11 shots while racking up 13 assists. Caris LeVert redeemed himself after his Game 1 stinker with 24 points.
An important tactical adjustment from Cavs coach JB Bickerstaff was inserting Danny Green into the rotation. The 35-year-old, a three-time NBA champion who only played 11 games during the regular season, filled 20 backup wing minutes and boosted Cleveland’s defense by guarding Randle.
Hart became a surprise addition to the active list after being listed as doubtful on Monday. The reserve guard said his sprained ankle felt better Tuesday morning, at least well enough to suit up.
“It’s attached,” he quipped.
But Hart wasn’t much of a factor over 27 minutes with just five points.
When the deficit hit 29 with about six minutes left, the Cleveland crowd started again.
“New York sucks, New York sucks.”
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