Knicks Preview: Keys to Defeating Cleveland Cavaliers
Nov 10, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward
Kevin Love(0) celebrates a basket from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 118-114. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
5. Limit Second Chances
Beyond the obvious star power, the Cleveland Cavaliers are a dangerous team because of the unique balance they possess. Not only is Cleveland willing and able to space the floor, but it has a number of ferocious offensive rebounders.
Between Kevin Love, Timofey Mozgov, Tristan Thompson and Anderson Varejao, the New York Knicks will have their hands full.
Love, a regular season statistical wonder, and Thompson, a 2015 NBA Finals standout, are respected offensive rebounders. Mozgov is more of a defensive presence and Varejao is limited in his playing time, but both are capable of crashing the offensive glass.
With LeBron James on the opposing team, second chances would kill the Knicks.
New York did an excellent job of limiting Cleveland to nine offensive rebounds in the first clash. That’s a major reason why it trailed by just one point entering the fourth quarter.
If New York has any chance of defeating the Cavaliers in the second clash, it must create one-and-done possessions defensively—again.
Next: Consistently Burned