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3 Things Knicks desperately need to leave behind in hideous playoff defeat

By Jordanna Clark

CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 18: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers boxes out Isaiah Hartenstein #55 of the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter of Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 18, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Knicks 107-90. 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 - APRIL 18: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers boxes out Isaiah Hartenstein #55 of the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter of Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 18, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Knicks 107-90. 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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New York Knicks, Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle
Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, New York Knicks. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

2: Stagnant offense

The Knicks shot 29-of-79 (36.7%) from the field and 7-of-29 (24.1%) from three. It was actually painful to watch. No one could get going. Not even Jalen Brunson, who shot 5-of-17 from the floor and 1-of-8 from deep.

Cleveland got Brunson out of it early. The Cavaliers were trapping the pick-and-roll, which completely threw Brunson for a loop. Rather than work the ball around, the Knicks were more concerned with going 1-on-1 and looking for their own shot, which was impossible with the Cavaliers’ suffocating defense. Darius Garland had already reached a career-high 26 points at the half, but his intensity on the defensive end was just as stifling.

Thibodeau isn’t heralded as an offensive-minded coach, but the Knicks are going to have to take a different approach in Game 3 in order to have a shot to win. It isn’t normal to have more turnovers than assists, but that’s what happened in Game 2. Speaking of turnovers…

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