Knicks advance to Eastern Conference semifinals for first time in TEN years with 106-95 win at Cavaliers, as New York wins series in five games with the Miami Heat waiting
- The Knicks are into the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2013
- They dominated the Cavs over five games with Jalen Brunson impressing
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
The Knicks advanced to the second round of the NBA playoffs for the first time in a decade after beating the Cavs on Wednesday night.
New York won Game 5 106-95, clinching a decisive 4-1 series advantage and setting up a matchup with the winner of the Heat-Bucks series.
Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks with 23 points, while RJ Barrett added 21.
Donovan Mitchell had 28 points, six assists and seven rebounds for Cleveland.
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Brunson averaged 24 points in the series and led New York in scoring all four wins while outplaying Mitchell for the second straight postseason. Last year, Brunson was with Dallas when he got the best of Mitchell.
Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks with 23 points, adding four assists and rebounds too
Donovan Mitchell’s 28-point effort was not enough for the Cavs to extend the series
RJ Barrett scored an efficient 21 points for the Knicks as they moved into the second round
Julius Randle is seen grabbing his ankle after reinjuring his ankle in the second quarter
The Knicks’ task of winning the game was made harder when Julius Randle appeared to reinjure his left ankle before just before halftime.
Randle, who suffered a sprained ankle on March 29, went to the locker room with 1:17 left in the second quarter and did not return in the second half.
However, with a 61-51, halftime advantage, the Knicks were able to maintain their advantage in the second half to reach their first Eastern Conference Semifinals since 2013.
New York never let Cleveland get closer than six in the fourth, much to the delight of several hundred Knicks fans who celebrated behind their bench.
The Cavs got pushed around and outrebounded in all four losses, including 48-30 in the clincher.
Now, New York will wait for the result of the Heat-Bucks series, which Miami had a surprising 3-1 lead in entering Wednesday’s Game 5.
The Bucks are heavy favorites to at least extend the series at home, and New York will be rooting for a long series after Randle’s injury on Wednesday.
