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3 Reasonable expectations for thrilling Knicks-Cavaliers playoff series

By Desmond Novack

Mar 31, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) is defended by New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the first half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) is defended by New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the first half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Josh Hart, Immanuel Quickley, New York Knicks. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

#2: The Knicks’ bench dominates the Cavaliers

The Cavaliers are an incredible team, there’s no doubt about that. However, when comparing the bench squads between the two teams, it’s rather clear which is the superior one. Cleveland has some solid players off the bench, but when New York’s bench mob gets going they’re arguably one of the best units in the league.

While there is a very real chance the Cavaliers play their starters heavy minutes and we don’t see much of their bench, the Knicks could very well swing a game in their favor based on the elite bench play they get.

Players like Immanuel Quickley and Josh Hart would be starters on a fair amount of other NBA teams. This level of depth is not common and something Tom Thibodeau must take advantage of in this series for the Knicks to win.

The last time the Knicks were in the playoffs their bench did not come close to living up to their expectations aside from Derrick Rose. However, this unit has much more experience and is just better than that of prior seasons.

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