Cavs vs Knicks Preview: Playoff Clash Sparks in NYC

The Cavaliers arrived in New York as serious title contenders after a massive trade deadline deal. By acquiring James Harden, Cleveland transformed its roster around Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley. Mitchell has been phenomenal, scoring about 31 points per game while also facilitating with excellent playmaking. Mobley, the league's reigning Defensive Player of the Year, anchors Cleveland's defense while adding scoring versatility. Together with strong contributions from their bench, including Dennis Schröder and Keon Ellis, the Cavs look like a team nobody wants to face right now.

New York has proven it belongs among the Eastern Conference's best teams. Jalen Brunson, an MVP-caliber player, controls the offense with scoring and playmaking that's nearly impossible to stop. He's dropped anywhere from 21 to 26 points on any given night while managing games beautifully. Karl-Anthony Towns provides elite spacing as a shooting center while grabbing about 12 rebounds per game. Together, they've helped the Knicks stay competitive despite some earlier-season struggles that tested fans' patience.

This matchup features two of the conference's most talented rosters going head-to-head in Brooklyn. The Cavaliers hold a 16-9 series advantage, putting pressure on the Knicks to answer emphatically at home. Both teams can score in bunches and defend when locked in, making execution crucial. Cleveland's depth and newly acquired Harden give them an offensive edge, while New York's defensive wings could create problems. Everything points to another competitive game where small plays decide big moments.