Knicks take two, take off to Ohio
Knicks lead Eastern finals, 2-0
This time wasn't embarrassing. The Cavaliers showed spark at the outset, competed throughout, gave us a strong Game 2 until the final garbage minutes.
We don't trust the Cavs and watch them without expecting anything, and also each of Cleveland's rotation members looks like a separate employee (traveling carny or hired local) at a county fair. Additionally, the Cavs are like deigning to board one of those mini-coasters at a county fair, hoping nobody suffers traumatic injury the entire ride but also taking in pleasant surprise at timing of the ups and downs.
Every viewing fan can and should absolutely visualize the Cavs walking off Cleveland's own floor on Saturday night after a desultory defeat in Game 3, looking like they just met each other and don't want to see each other again. This artistic choice conceptually carries over to the Game 4 performance.
But we can also see close ones in Cleveland, maybe even Cavalier wins. Cleveland showed us enough in Game 2 to suggest each upcoming contest should be competitive. Enough for a Game 5? Do we trust Cleveland's defense to stay in front of any onrushing Knick? No. Cleveland's success in these next two games mostly fixates upon the idea that the Knicks will stop playing perfect basketball at some point.
But, either there is life or there ain't. Cleveland retains life. A profound achievement, accomplished while reeling from a colossal, record-setting defeat in Game 1. Byron Allen could use Cleveland Cavalier collapse jokes for the first month of his CBS show, had Byron not already filmed each of this summer's episodes back in 2024.
So, Dean Wade, I hear you get confused a lot for another NBA player?
That's my Byron Allen impersonation.
