Who will win the Eastern Conference? The Cleveland Cavaliers punched their ticket on Sunday night to the Eastern Conference Finals, setting up a matchup against the well-rested New York Knicks. It’ll be a fascinating series, especially with so much attention largely centered out West.
Let’s dive into our game-by-game Eastern Conference Finals predictions.
Game 1: New York Knicks 121, Cleveland Cavaliers 113
It’s fitting that the Eastern Conference Finals delivers a matchup between the Cavaliers vs Knicks, since they faced each other to open the season on Oct. 22. New York won two of the three head-to-head clashes during the regular season and we suspect that rest will play in the team’s favor in Game 1. We think All-Star guard Jalen Brunson opens up the ECF with a bang, scoring 30-plus points with five three-pointers made and combining with Karl-Anthony Towns for 50. The Knicks ride the two-man show to a Game 1 win.
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Game 2: New York Knicks 115, Cleveland Cavaliers 108
New York knows at this point that Mikal Bridges isn’t going to provide much offensively. That’s fine in the Eastern Conference Finals; he just needs to be a stopper. Bridges did an excellent job of shutting down Tyrese Maxey in the second round, and he’ll be tasked with another massive defensive assignment here. We’re projecting that the clamps get brought out in Game 2, with James Harden and Donovan Mitchell both struggling when they are forced to match up with Bridges. Pair Cleveland’s All-Star guards struggling with the team’s issues on the glass, and that propels New York to a 2-0 series lead with a clean record at home.
Read More: Western Conference Finals Predictions
Game 3: Cleveland Cavaliers 118, New York Knicks 110
The Knicks being well-rested certainly gives them an edge in the Eastern Conference Finals, but Cleveland has been battle-tested. Cleveland faced an 0-2 hole in the second round after losing on the road at Detroit and they responded with three consecutive wins. We think that experience matters in a must-win Game 3. It’s going to be a remarkable night for James Harden, who puts up 30-plus points with 9 assists. The former NBA MVP answers back in the series with another vintage playoff performance that shows why the Cavaliers acquired him earlier this season.
Game 4: New York Knicks 121, Cleveland Cavaliers 117
With OG Anunoby hurt, the Knicks have needed guard Miles McBride to step up more as of late. He delivered massively in Game 4 versus Philadelphia with 25 points, making seven treys, and we think that perimeter shooting will shine once more in the Eastern Conference Finals. With Anunoby limited, McBride explodes with a game-high in three-pointers made (five) as part of the Knicks’ bench being the difference-maker in a Game 4 victory on the road. It sends New York back home to Madison Square Garden with a 3-1 series lead.
Game 5: New York Knicks 118, Cleveland Cavaliers 107
One through line during the Eastern Conference Finals we’re anticipating is that Karl-Anthony Towns will be the biggest reason why New York reaches the NBA Finals. Back home at Madison Square Garden, KAT will record his fourth double-double of the series and reach 20-plus points for the second time, while having scored 15-plus in every contest. KAT and Brunson combine for 40-plus points, with the depth of the Knicks’ rotation and the team’s defense leading to a Game 5 rout that earns the Knicks their first Eastern Conference title since 1999.
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