3 Key matchups that will decide Knicks-Cavaliers playoff series

1: Jalen Brunson vs. Donovan Mitchell

While bench scoring and rebounding are both notable aspects of winning in the postseason, the two most important players in this upcoming series are undoubtedly Donovan Mitchell and Jalen Brunson.

This series is a rematch between the two from last year when Mitchell’s Utah Jazz fell to Brunson’s Mavericks in six games despite Dallas superstar Luka Doncic missing three of them. This was essentially Brunson’s coming-out party, averaging 27.8 points per game on 48.4% shooting.

Mitchell also saves his best basketball for the playoffs, owning a career postseason scoring average of 28.3 points per game in 39 appearances. With both players being poor defenders, they’re likely going to attack each other early and often.

The two teams played each other a couple of weeks ago, providing a preview of the fireworks to come. Mitchell poured in 42 points while playing 40 minutes, but Brunson ended up with a career-high 48 and helped the Knicks secure a 130-114 win.

Whichever player has a better series, it’s a safe bet that their team is going to advance to the next round. If the Knicks can control the glass and dominate Cleveland’s bench unit while Brunson carries the scoring load, they’ll be moving on.

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The New York Knicks' first game of the playoffs will be on Saturday in Cleveland. Here are three players that Tom Thibodeau needs to be opened-minded with.