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3 Reasons Knicks can upset Cavaliers in highly anticipated playoff matchup

By Jordanna Clark

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 31: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks shoots over Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 31: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks shoots over Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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It’s here. It’s finally here. The New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers will tip-off at 6 this evening at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse for one of the most anticipated first-round matchups. The Knicks’ underpaid free agency addition Jalen Brunson versus the trade addition that everyone thought the Knicks would add, what could be better?

Cleveland has the edge in the series because it has homecourt advantage, so Games 1 and 2 will be in Ohio. If the series goes to seven games, Game 7 will be in Ohio as well. This is a Cavaliers team that last made it to the playoffs in 2018 when LeBron James was still in town, so expect the atmosphere in New York and Cleveland to be top-notch. It is the playoffs, after all.

It should be a series that comes down to the wire between the No. 4 and No. 5 teams in the East. Both are evenly matched, that is if Julius Randle is healthy and able to play. Many people might be leaning toward choosing the Cavaliers as the series winner, but it wouldn’t be surprising (at least for Knicks fans) if New York were to advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

3 reasons Knicks could upset Cavaliers in first-round playoff series

3: The Madison Square Garden advantage

Cleveland might be ready to rock after missing the playoffs the last four seasons, but Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse has nothing on Madison Square Garden. Knicks fans filed into MSG in 2021 when New York played against Atlanta, and although that series didn’t go as hoped, the atmosphere was electric.

The Knicks don’t have homecourt advantage, but they have MSG advantage. If New York can steal a win in Cleveland and enter Game 3 with a 1-1 series tie in NYC, that will be huge for the Knicks. Playoff atmospheres are always next level, but there’s something that’s even more special about playing at the world’s most famous arena.

The flip side to this is that a player like Donovan Mitchell could go off in one of the games in New York. There’s a reason why many opposing players list MSG as their favorite place to play. When you combine that with Mitchell playing in front of his hometown team that didn’t trade for him over the summer, the star guard could make the Knicks regret their decision to not go all-in on him. Let’s hope that isn’t what happens.

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