What we just witnessed in Game 1 of this series was 100% bonkers. But can the Cavs and the Knicks top that in Game 2? Read on for more about this big game in the Big Apple.

Catch this game live on Friday, May 22, 2026 at 8:00 AM, Manila time.

Away: Cleveland Cavaliers (0-1)

Projected Starting Five:

  • James Harden
  • Donovan Mitchell
  • Dean Wade
  • Evan Mobley
  • Jarrett Allen

Well, that was embarrassing. The Cavs had an all-timer collapse, squandering a 22-point lead in the fourth quarter of Game 1 on their way to a brutal 115-104 loss at Madison Square Garden to Jalen Brunson and company. As painful as that loss was, the half-full glass in Cleveland says that it was just the first game of the series. 

Cleveland has been here before, too. In the second round, the Cavaliers battled back from a 2-0 series deficit and took out the Detroit Pistons. There is also a giant spotlight on James Harden, who struggled offensively (15 points on 5/16 shooting) and got abused like a wet paper bag on defense in Game 1. It was a tough way to lose for Cleveland, but it’s fair to say that it can’t get worse for them the rest of the way. 

Home: New York Knicks (1-0)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Jalen Brunson
  • Josh Hart
  • Mikal Bridges
  • OG Anunoby
  • Karl-Anthony Towns

The Knicks pulled off the improbable in Game 1. To win such a high-stakes game under those circumstances should be a huge boost to New York’s morale. 

On a tangible note, New York got the job done in the series opener in large part because of Brunson, who ripped Harden’s defense apart on his way to scoring a game-high 38 points on 15/29 shooting.  It was truly a Jalen Brunson Show for the Knicks, who feel comfortable with getting the former Villanova star the rock anytime. 

New York’s defense also tightened it up in the fourth quarter, allowing the Knicks to complete the comeback. The Cavs shot just 29.4% in the final period and went 6/7 in overtime. Cleveland, which went the distance in each of the first two rounds of the playoffs, may also be feeling fatigued, possibly made worse by its deflating meltdown on Wednesday.

Picks

Spread: New York Knicks (-6.0)
Over/Under: Under (216.0)