The month of March is absolutely crucial for the Cavaliers’ playoff chase
By Josh Ungar
The Cleveland Cavaliers could face the surging New York Knicks in the playoffs
When the Cavaliers host the Celtics on Mar. 6, they’ll be catching Boston on the second night of a back-to-back. On Mar. 5, the Celtics have to host Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, and the New York Knicks. Interestingly, the Celtics visited the Knicks on Feb. 27 before coming home to play the Cavaliers on Mar. 1.
The Knicks hung on to defeat the Cavaliers 105-103 at Madison Square Garden back on Jan. 24, which gave New York the 2-1 lead in the season series. If the playoffs began today, the Knicks and Cavaliers would be squaring off in Round 1.
If the Knicks and Cavaliers play in the postseason, one of the biggest storylines in the series would be centered around Donovan Mitchell. For a while, it looked like Mitchell was headed to Broadway. Instead, he’s playing in the shadow of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Even though the Cavs are fourth in the East at 39-26, the Knicks are nipping at their heels at 37-27, fifth in the East. A lot can change in a month’s time, but if New York and Cleveland continue to jockey for playoff positioning, then the importance of their showdown at RMFH on Mar. 31 is going to skyrocket!
New York will be trying to win the season series 3-1, while the Cavs will look to hold serve on their home floor and split the series 2-2. If the Cavs win that game, it means the home team will have won all four games. Whoever wins the showdown at the end of the month could end up hosting a potential Game 7 in what’s looking to be a very likely first-round matchup.