If the season were to end today, the Cleveland Cavaliers would have homecourt advantage in a first round playoff series against the pesky New York Knicks. So far this season, the Knicks have been a thorn in the Cavs side, holding a 2-1 edge in the season series, with one additional matchup to play on March 31. The big storyline in this matchup comes from the offseason, where Donovan Mitchell was ever so close to becoming a Knick and going back home.
However, the Knicks did not reportedly want to give the Utah Jazz an extra first-round pick, so the Cavs swooped in and got the deal done. This has not derailed the Knicks season though, as they have won 42 games. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers have reaped the benefits of the Mitchell trade, as they have already surpassed their win total from last season, and rank in the top 10 in offensive and defensive rating.
Both teams missed the playoffs last season, but are in good position to make their return this season and face each other in the first round. If any of the regular season matchups are an indication, these two teams are in for a physical, long, and hard-fought series.
With that said, how do the Cavaliers match up with the Knicks, should they face off in the playoffs?
Let’s start in the backcourt.
The backcourt outlook
The Cavs have Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, who are the engines of an offense that ranks ninth in the NBA. Both are averaging over 20 points per game, and their three-level scoring would cause problems for the Knicks.
Garland though is the X factor. Mitchell will definitely get his, but the Knicks are going to throw a litany of defenders at Mitchell and double teams as well, leaving Garland to have one-on-one matchups. He needs to be aggressive with those opportunities, and in general, as he seemingly has been more so of late, and take advantage of them. The Cavs also have Ricky Rubio off the bench, and he has picked up his level of play recently. His veteran presence will be needed for a team that lacks playoff experience.
The Knicks though, have some solid guards in their own right that can give Cleveland trouble. Jalen Brunson is having the best season of his career and it is mind blowing that he wasn’t an All Star. He is averaging 23 points per game, and 6 assists per game on 48/41/84 shooting splits. That contract looks like a bargain now given Brunson’s high level of play.
Meanwhile, the Knicks also have Sixth Man of the Year candidate Immanuel Quickley, who has been stellar since the calendar turned to 2023. Since Jan. 1, Quickley has averaged 16 points per game, and he is shooting 38% from three-point range in that same span. Finally, sharpshooter Quentin Grimes rounds out the Knicks guard tandem. Grimes is shooting 36% from three this season and his two-way play has made him a favorite of the Knicks.
Both teams have good guards that can change the game, but given the Cavs All-Star backcourt, I’ll give them the edge here. Mitchell and Garland are elite, three-level scorers that can each explode for 30 on any given night, and Rubio’s steady hand off the bench has been vital for the Cavaliers lately.
Advantage: Cavs
The wing matchup
The wing spot has been a problem for the Cavs all season long, but it has picked up lately. For the first time in nearly two months, Caris LeVert looks like a true difference-maker for this Cavaliers team. In his last five games, LeVert is averaging 18 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals. He needs to keep this level of play up off the bench for the Cavs.
From there, in addition to LeVert, Lamar Stevens, Isaac Okoro, and Cedi Osman have all stepped up in various ways on both ends of the floor for the Cavs to provide J.B. Bickerstaff with options to have at the wing. Over a long playoff series, that is important.
As for the Knicks, the wing has not been an issue for them this season, especially lately. RJ Barrett has had an up and down year, but he is still averaging 20 PPG and shooting 44% from the field, offering a scoring punch for New York. Barrett’s shot selection has been steadily improving over the past month or so, and if he is picking his spots correctly, the Knicks offense becomes even more potent.
Along with Barrett, Josh Hart has been a two-way monster for the Knicks, giving them monster minutes off the bench. His defensive presence has been invaluable. However, Hart’s one weakness was shooting, but in the 15 games he has played with the Knicks, he is shooting 56% from three. That is not sustainable, but Hart being capable of hitting open shots when called upon will be huge for the Knicks.
Finally, to round out their wing rotation, the Knicks look to Obi Toppin, who receives inconsistent playing time, but his high energy will be needed in this series.
The Cavs may have more options at the wing spot and they are heating up at the right time, but the Knicks have better quality at this spot, so I give them the slight edge here. Barrett and Hart offer more consistency than anyone the Cavaliers have at the wing right now.
Advantage: Knicks
The Battle of the Bigs
The Cavs duo of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen has been one of the best big men tandems in the NBA this season. They are the anchors of the league’s best defense, and it has led to Mobley being considered for Defensive Player of the Year it seems. In addition, Mobley and Allen are both averaging over one block per game this season and both are great at contesting shots, as Allen is 6th in the league in contested twos per game and Mobley is second in the league in contested threes per game.
Don’t discount the other end, either, though. Mobley and Allen are also efficient offensive players. The Twin Towers are both shooting above 55% from the field, and over 14 PPG. The Cavs do not have much depth behind them, but these two will be a handful for the Knicks. This is one of the best rim protecting duos in the NBA.
As for the Knicks, their frontcourt is led by All-Star Julius Randle. Randle has bounced back in a huge way this season, averaging 25 PPG and 10 RPG while shooting 46% from the field. His three-point shooting has been up and down to say the least, as he is in the midst of a 3-of-21 stretch, but he is still a threat from out there. Flanking him in the frontcourt is Mitchell Robinson, who is one of the better rim protectors in the NBA. Foul trouble does plague him at times, but his defensive presence is a huge reason why the Knicks are ninth in defensive efficiency since the All-Star break. Robinson also offers a great rebound presence.
Rounding out the big man rotation is Isaiah Hartenstein, who has been a high impact player for New York off the bench. Hartenstein does not wow you offensively, but he doesn’t need to. Defense is his calling card and the Knicks do not miss a beat on that end of the floor when he subs in for Robinson. If Robinson falls into foul trouble, Hartenstein will be there to pick the Knicks up.
Both teams have very talented frontcourts that offer versatility and a staunch defensive presence. This could very easily be a push, but I am picking Cleveland. The reason is that Mobley and Allen have led them to the best defense in the NBA and are two candidates for Defensive Player of the Year. Coupled with that, they offer more offensively than the Knicks frontcourt, who’s only true offensive threat is Randle.