Josh Hart makes the Cavaliers pay for leaving him open with a postseason career-high originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The New York Knicks are now up 2-0 against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. It was two home wins for the Knicks, so they are not getting ahead of themselves, but they had a fun time seeing Josh Hart have a great night.
Mostly seen as a hustle player, Hart is often left open because he is not the most well-known shooter. He proved the Cavaliers wrong in Game 2 for deploying that game plan because he scored 26 points, a postseason career high.
Josh Hart proves the Cavaliers should defend him better
After only scoring 13 points in Game 1 and not playing a lot of minutes late in the game, Hart made sure to make an impact the following night. The Cavaliers tried to make him shoot because he’s not a well-known sharpshooter.
Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, Hart has been superb this season from long range. He shot over 40% from three this season, and while he is not as prolific as other efficient players, he made the Cavs pay in Game 2.
MORE: The full box score for Game 2 of the ECF between the Knicks and the Cavaliers
Hart had 26 points on 10-for-21 from the field and 5-for-11 from beyond the arc. He also chipped in with four assists, seven steals, and two steals to help the Knicks get the 109-93 victory.
“It felt good. The thing I’m most happy about is that I started 0-for-3 and 0-for-4, but I just kept shooting. I’m putting the work in, and I have to play with confidence, so I felt good,” Hart said to ESPN’s Lisa Salters after the game.
“I knew that was how the game plan was going to be. I’ve just been working… I’m just trying to make sure I shoot the ball with confidence, just believe in my work.”
Jalen Brunson did not need to have the biggest performance because it was a well-rounded night from the Knicks. However, it is Hart who will take the headlines because he scored a game-high 26 points, the same number as Donovan Mitchell on the other end.
Now, the Knicks are headed to Cleveland, which will be a tough couple of games. The Cavs have only lost won one game so far in the Playoffs at home, and the rest of the Cavaliers not named Mitchell will want to bounce back.