The New York Knicks have a 1-0 series lead over the Cavaliers after a 101-97 win on Saturday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The Knicks are still in Cleveland for Tuesday’s Game 2 matchup that’s scheduled to tip-off at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT.
Julius Randle made his return to the starting lineup in Game 1 after missing the end of the regular season with a sprained left ankle. He said after the game that he was tired, but Randle still managed to post a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double. He had a crucial offensive rebound at the end of the game, perhaps the biggest rebound of his career.
Randle isn’t on the injury report for Game 2, but there is another key Knicks player that is. Josh Hart only participated in parts of Monday’s practice due to a sprained left ankle and was initially listed as doubtful for Tuesday. However, he’s since been upgraded to questionable. It seems as if he’s trending toward being available.
Hart’s availability won’t affect the starting lineup, which is projected to be as follows:
Projected Knicks Game 2 starting lineup vs Cavaliers
- Jalen Brunson
- Quentin Grimes
- RJ Barrett
- Julius Randle
- Mitchell Robinson
Unless there’s a major change, that will be New York’s starting lineup.
As for Cleveland, Isaac Okoro also made his return to the starting lineup after missing the Cavaliers’ last six regular season games. He finished with six points (1-of-6 from the field, 0-of-4 from three), three rebounds, and two assists in 23 minutes. Okoro made news on Monday after complaining about Jalen Brunson’s “antics.”
Like the Knicks, the Cavaliers’ starting lineup should be the same in Game 2 as it was in Game 1.
Projected Cavaliers Game 2 starting lineup vs Knicks
- Darius Garland
- Donovan Mitchell
- Isaac Okoro
- Evan Mobley
- Jarrett Allen
If New York wins on Tuesday, the team will lead 2-0 in the series with Games 3 and 4 set to take place at MSG. That’d be huge for the Knicks.
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