It was the clash of the Eastern Conference tonight, the Knicks came to Cleveland to beat the Cavs. A massive Jalen Brunson smashed it all at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, slamming his career high to 48 points.
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It was one of the most anticipated games of the night between the Cavaliers and the Knicks and the least we can say is that the scenario was very different from what we could expect. Between two good defenses, a rough meeting seemed to be on the program. Eventually, the reverse happened. All-Star Game atmosphere for this regular match between two franchises which have a high probability of being in the first round of the Playoffs within a fortnight.
From the first quarter, Donovan Mitchell and Jalen Brunson respond to each other and return everything they try. More than 20 points for the two leaders from the first 12 minutes. As throughout the season, Cleveland shows a bit more defensive streaks with an Evan Mobley still as solid and Dono who starts to counter. The Cavs therefore lead at the end of the first quarter (47-42), but it will be the only time of the game.
Because then, Jalen Brunson becomes unstoppable and makes misery to the local defense. With 33 points at 13/20 shooting and 4/7 from afar as well as 5 assists at… the break, the New York leader is pulling out all the stops against an outsider from the East. The absence of Julius Randle due to injury means that the attack automatically goes through him a lot with even more shots than usual. The responsibilities are assumed by the former Mavs, who takes place against a very efficient and more collective Mitchell – Garland duo (44 points for the duo at halftime).
JALEN BRUNSON CAREER NIGHT 🗣️
48 PTS (career-high)
4 REB
9 AST
7 3PM
W pic.twitter.com/PK6km61gRN— NBA (@NBA) April 1, 2023
The whole meeting will be led by this same offensive madness and this virtual absence of defense. Must also say that Brunson and Mitchell are particularly hot at the moment T. The Knicks guy slams 40 points and 8 assists at the end of the third quarter, when the Cavs have 38 points and 4 assists. The temperature rises very quickly in Cleveland, but it cools down just as quickly as the Knicks take over collectively. All of the major five and part of the bench have at least ten points following Brunson’s wake. The latter also slams his career high at 48 points. An XXL performance in a big 130-116 victory.
Admittedly, there are no direct consequences for the classification, but the message is sent in the event of a series of Playoffs between the two franchises from mid-April, which seems more and more likely at the end of the season.
