The Cleveland Cavaliers now have their backs against the wall after failing to win in Madison Square Garden on Sunday afternoon.
Unlike Friday night, though, the Cavaliers got off to a much better start shooting the ball but still found themselves down by as many as 15 points in the first half to the New York Knicks.
With the game on the verge of turning ugly in the third quarter, Darius Garland had other plans and led the Cavaliers on a comeback. Garland, who was just 4-of-21 in Game 3 for 10 points, scored 11 points alone in the third quarter to lead the Cavaliers back. Cleveland was able to trade shots with New York all quarter and went into the final quarter down just two points.
However, the Cavaliers could not re-take the lead in the final quarter and now must win the next three games to salvage this series and this season.
As for Game 4, let’s examine two key takeaways from the loss.
No. 1: Rebounding woes strike again
A key factor in Cleveland’s Game 1 loss was that they were outrebounded 51-38 and gave up 17 offensive rebounds, leading to 23 second-chance points.
That tune changed in Game 2 when Cleveland won the battle on the boards 43-36, and the Knicks were limited to 13 second-chance points.
Cleveland only was outrebounded 45-42 in the Game 3 loss, but their shooting woes took them out of being competitive for much of the game.
Yesterday’s loss saw the Cavaliers get beat up on the glass again, as the Knicks again won that battle 47-33. Cleveland also let New York snag 17 offensive boards, which led to 21 second-chance points.
Cleveland’s most significant issue in the rebounding battle has been containing New York center Mitchell Robinson on the offensive glass. In the Cavaliers three losses this series, they have allowed Robinson to grab 17 offensive rebounds.
While Evan Mobley is averaging 10.3 rebounds in this series, Jarrett Allen has only grabbed nine rebounds in the past two games after recording 24 rebounds in Games 1 and 2.
But the duo of Mobley and Allen is not the sole factor when it comes to rebounding. The guards and forwards also play a role, and the Knicks have gotten solid contributions from Josh Hart, RJ Barrett, and even Jalen Brunson.
If the Cavs can’t fix their rebounding issue, this series could be over on Wednesday night. But, rebounding isn’t the only key takeaway from this game.
No. 2: Cavaliers guards’ inconsistent scoring
One of Cleveland’s biggest questions this season was how Donovan Mitchell and Garland would fare playing in the same backcourt.
Soon after the season began, it was evident that Cleveland’s backcourt would fare well together, as Mitchell was an All-Star starter. Garland’s scoring numbers stayed steady while also increasing his three-point percentage.
However, the Cavaliers backcourt has yet to both be on their ‘A’ game at the same time this postseason.
Mitchell’s best scoring game was back in Game 1, when he scored 38 points. Mitchell has not scored more than 22 points in the last three games.
Yesterday was arguably Mitchell’s worst offensive performance. He shot just 5-of-18 from the floor and scored just two points in the second half.
As for Garland, he had a marvelous Game 2 with 32 points and seven assists. But he had an average Game 1, and in Game 3, he shot just 19 percent, including 1-of-7 from three-point range.
In the Game 4 loss yesterday, Garland got the Cavaliers offense rolling in the second half, while Mitchell struggled all game.
The Cavaliers backcourt is relied upon to do the heavy lifting in the scoring column, but through four games, they can’t seem to both get in a rhythm simultaneously.
As we all learned in 2016, do not count the Cavaliers out when down 3-1 in a series. But they now have their backs against the wall and return from New York with nothing to show for their efforts.
Expect a raucous crowd to cheer on the Cavaliers on Wednesday, but beyond that, they still will have to find a way to win in New York if there is any hope of completing a series comeback.