Knicks take 3-1 lead with 102-93 win over Cavs… and are one win away from breaking 10-YEAR drought

The New York Knicks did little to contain the feverish excitement inside the Garden with a 102-93 win vs. the shell-shocked Cavs. 

Cleveland came back to MSG hoping to make amends for its 20-point loss to the rampaging Knicks Friday. 

While the Cavs had their moments, New York consistently proved too much to handle and take a 3-1 lead to Cleveland. 

Only two mistakes by the Lake (and one in Manhattan) will keep New York from the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs — the first time in a decade. 

After Cleveland’s Cedi Osman sank a free throw to make it 75-75 with 9:48 left in the game, the Knicks fed off a raucous home crowd, putting together a 15-6 surge to go up by nine.

Jalen Brunson’s 29 points were central to the Knicks’ impressive win over the flailing Cavaliers

Donovan Mitchell was held to a staggering two points during the second half of Game 4

The four-time NBA All-Star scored just 11 points – on 5-18 shooting – and had six turnovers

Brunson effectively sealed the victory when he drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 1:45 remaining.

Central to the Knicks second-straight win was the defense applied to Cleveland’s perennial All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, who was held to two points in the second half. He finished with 11 points, five assists and four rebounds. 

Brunson once more took control of the game, dropping 29 points, alongside six rebounds and six assists.

R.J. Barrett was instrumental in the Knicks win, finishing with 26 points. Josh Hart had 19 points and seven rebounds. 

For the Cavs, Darius Garland was the lone hot-hand, with 23 points and 10 assists. 

Cleveland came out of halftime – trailing 54-45 – with a vengeance, opening the second half on a 14-5 run to tie things at 59-59. 

The visitors eventually took their first lead of the game with 6:27 left in the third quarter when Allen threw down an alley-oop dunk to make it 63-61. 

Though, they couldn’t maintain the rage, unlike the fervent Knicks faithful who spurred on its Orange and Blue heroes to within a game of history. 

Fans took to seventh avenue, just outside the Garden, to celebrate Sunday’s victory – and one can only imagine how much bigger those scenes will be if New York win again this series.

Josh Hart (R) celebrated a late three as the Knicks moved within one game of the second round

The most recognizable Knick fan, Spike Lee (C), was front and center with Tracy Morgan (L)

Comedians and New York natives, Pete Davidson (L) and Jon Stewart (R), were sat courtside