Yes, Cavs win! The final from the Rocket Mortgage Field House Tuesday evening in the East First Round Game 2 was the Cleveland Cavaliers 107 the New York Knickerbockers 90! The tale of the tape really took place very early and during the first 6 minutes of the third quarter, and I learned from a mentor of mine, that is the most important part of most NBA games!
Yes, there will be scolding as we progress here, and it will be aimed mainly at the media or those who feel they are “in the know” concerning the Cavs and the NBA. BTW to the rank and file, CHILL! I had to close the 1-480 bridge with 6:37 left in the FIRST QUARTER when the Knicks were up 13-6!
Let’s begin with a shout out early to JB Bickerstaff. For all of you extolling the energy and frenetic play of Isaac Okoro early PLEASE take a step back. From the get-go it was obvious he was out of place on the court in the playoffs and in this game. What did the Guru teach me years ago? BE HERE NOW and not sure where Isaac was last night. He played 3 minutes, picked up 2 fouls and in the first 23 seconds he missed a layup and had a turnover. Yes, he had another turnover 1:41 into the game. I know, I know how many of you may be thinking “Is Isaac Munch’s new whipping boy?” It’s on him, not me and I like the dude, but it is as bright as sunlight that he was a bad pick at #5 and he did very little to better his game last summer. Per some media can you help him locate the offense you told us he has discovered as the season went on? JB yanked him and nailed him to bench after he logged 2 minutes and 45 seconds.
The Cavs finished the first quarter on a 6-0 run and NEVER looked back! I even read where some “in the know” were complaining about the sluggish Cavs offense. at 6:21 and again at 5:42 Garland made two huge 3’s as the Cavs quickly rotated the basketball. Remember in any sport “the ball moves faster than the man!” Yup you just learned another Munch “Hoops Commandment.” After one it was CAVS 25 Knicks 22.
Caris LeVert's three to end the quarter gives the @cavs the lead heading into the second!#LetEmKnow | #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/4PoBxpLhsU
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) April 19, 2023
In the second we saw more Danny Green than Cedi Osman (Cedi jacking up BAD 3’s and was 0-4) and the arrival of Caris Levert on offense and defense. Interesting that JB had the Cavs start to trap Brunson with Allen and LeVert along with others who were on him when the switches happened. I also heard from someone that the Junk Yard Dawg Lamar Stevens was needed to shut down Brunson and rebound. Deep breath time for me…what don’t people understand? When all was said and done Brunson was held under his scoring average and the Cavs outrebounded NY 43-36. I rest my case. At the half, the Cavs were up by 20, 59-39.
Now Mike Fratello taught me years ago to keep an eye on the first 6 minutes of the 3rd quarter. Sure, some games come down to a buzzer beater or a stop but watch that first 6 as I did! The wine and gold started the 3rd quarter up by 20 points and at 5:58 of the 3rd led by 20! WHOOMP there it is!
In the 4th the Cavs pushed the lead up to 29 and never looked back. You knew it was a special night when Robin Lopez scored back-to-back buckets with little hooks in the paint!
A few other notes as Spida Mitchell dropped 13 dimes, Mobley had 13 boards and 13 points although he did look like a 21-year-old at times. the Cavs version of “Fear the Fro” Jarrett Allen had 10 boards and Caris LeVert finished with 24 on 4-9 shooting from where they park the oversized pick-ups (or where they should park them)! The final Cavs 107 NY 90!
Game 3 is Friday at the World’s arena Madison Square Garden (8:30p) and game 4 Sunday at the Garden at 1p. I will be at the game on Sunday, and you will get all your updates on NEO Sports Insiders!
Enjoy every sandwich dear friend and for now adios Amigo! Long may you run!
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