Fansided

3 Cavaliers to blame for Game 1 loss to Knicks

ByScott Rogust|
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 15: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during the fourth quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 15, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Knicks defeated the Cavaliers 101-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 15: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during the fourth quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 15, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Knicks defeated the Cavaliers 101-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
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Cedi Osman, Jalen Brunson, Cavaliers, Knicks, NBA Playoffs
Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Cavaliers to blame for Game 1 loss to Knicks, No. 1: Cedi Osman

While Donovan Mitchell was giving the Knicks fits, the Cavaliers had no answers for Jalen Brunson. After being held to just six points through the first 24 minutes of the game, Brunson came to life in the second half, scoring 21 points.

One sticking point from Brunsonā€™s performance in the second half was that Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff had Cedi Osman guarding him down the stretch. It worked as well as you would have imagined.

Take, for example, Brunson driving past Osman with ease for the clutch layup to extend New Yorkā€™s lead to 99-95 with 35.4 seconds remaining in regulation.

It wasnā€™t just Osmanā€™s guarding of Brunson late. He also allowed Josh Hart, with an injured ankle, to hit a go-ahead three-pointer, giving New York the 95-93 lead with under two minutes remaining.

Two clutch shots surrendered by Osman, leading to the Knicks taking a 1-0 series lead. Not great.

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