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3 reasons fans should be rooting for Knicks-Cavaliers playoff chaos

By Jordanna Clark

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 24: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks drives past Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the third quarter at Madison Square Garden on January 24, 2023 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 24: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks drives past Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the third quarter at Madison Square Garden on January 24, 2023 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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After an offseason that was full of Donovan Mitchell-New York Knicks rumors, the Cavaliers swooped in and traded for the former Jazz star. Instead of sending him to Utah in a trade, the Knicks signed RJ Barrett to a four-year extension and kept hold of their first-round picks.

Led by Mitchell, Cleveland has been one of the top teams in the East this season. The 26-year-old returned to Salt Lake City as an All-Star starter and is averaging a career-high 27.4 points and is shooting a career-high 47.4% from the field. Not only has Mitchell helped elevate the Cavaliers, but Lauri Markkanen was voted an All-Star and has helped to transform a Utah team that many thought would be one of the worst in the West.

Now that six months have passed since it became official that Mitchell wouldn’t be suiting up for New York in 2022-23, there’s a high possibility that the Knicks and Cavaliers will meet up with one another in the first round of the playoffs. Sure, Cleveland’s good, but so is New York. After losing three straight, though, the Knicks were bumped down to No. 6 while the Cavaliers still sit at No. 4. New York has to get back to the No. 5 spot to face Cleveland, assuming that the Cavaliers will remain No. 4.

Although the playoff series would be a rollercoaster ride for Knicks fans, it’s one that the fanbase should be rooting to happen.

3 reasons Knicks fans should be pulling for New York-Cleveland first-round playoff matchup

3: One of the league’s best playoffs matchups

The Knicks and Cavaliers meeting in the first round would be chaos but in the best way. Donovan Mitchell has notoriously performed well in the playoffs, but let’s not forget what Jalen Brunson did with the Mavericks last season. In fact, it was Dallas that ended Utah’s season in the first round of last year’s playoffs. Will Brunson do the same to Mitchell next month?

Even with a couple of disappointing losses, New York has gelled together at the right time. Brunson has been consistently great for the Knicks (although he has been out with a foot injury), Julius Randle is back playing at an All-Star level, Mitchell Robinson is healthy and a double-double machine, and Josh Hart and Immanuel Quickley have been superb off the bench.

As for Cleveland, Mitchell hasn’t shown signs of slowing down, Evan Mobley has made a huge leap in his second season, Jarrett Allen sits alongside Mobley as one of the top defensive big men in the league, and Darius Garland is flying under the radar but he shouldn’t be.

It may just be the first round, but Knicks-Cavaliers has the potential to be one of the best series that NBA fans will get to see in the playoffs.

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