Pressure Cooker: 3 Cavaliers that need to do well in Knicks series

 The Cav with the second-most pressure: Darius Garland

Last season, the Cavaliers melted under the spotlights as they approached the playoffs. They choked and played poorly down the stretch and missed out on a golden opportunity. A big part of that collapse had to do with the Cavs guard Darius Garland playing badly and making mistakes and turnovers as the pressure mounted then.

Cleveland was smart to go out and trade for a superstar in Donovan Mitchell, who’s made a huge difference to this team’s chances this season. While Mitchell has become the Cavs security blanket, Garland will have to play well in this playoff series against the Knicks.

Garland has continued to improve in many ways this season. That includes lowering his turnovers per game which will be vital for his teams chances against the Knicks. He has also been getting to the free throw line more this year, which would suggest he’s been driving the ball to the rim more, and having success. That coincides with him throwing up fewer three-point shots as well, from 6.7 last season to 6.0 this season. That may not seem like a lot of a difference, but Garland has done a better job of having the game slow down and playing a better controlled game.

In the past, Garland has played a bit chaotically at times and that unpredictability that would include untimely turnovers, would cost his team some victories. If he can play with that more controlled and steady pace, then he’s putting his Cleveland teammates in a much better place to win games.

The pressure will be there for the young Cavalier to step up his game, but if he can continue to play as he has this past regular season, then the Cavaliers will win this series with the Knicks.