Cavs-Knicks Halftime Dribbles

CLEVELAND — Halftime dribbles from Cavaliers vs. Knicks in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference playoff series.

1. This game started off much like the last, with one exception — the Cavs made it clear they weren’t going to get crushed on the boards. You could just see the determination in that department in the first two quarters. Almost to a man, they were boxing out, attacking the glass.

2. Think coach J.B. Bickerstaff made that a point of emphasis the past two days? At halftime, Cleveland held a 21-20 rebounding edge.

3. After last game, I said if Darius Garland or Caris LeVert had given even a “B-minus” performance in Game 1, the Cavs would’ve won. Both have been a lot better this time — especially Garland. He’s been the best player on the floor with an eye-popping 26 points.

Darius Garland is on ???#LetEmKnow | #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/0S065AEyyG

— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) April 19, 2023

4. Defensively, the Cavs have been even better than last time, and they weren’t bad in that department in Game 1. There just has been a whole new energy tonight. The key, of course, is sustaining it for another 24 minutes.

5. If I told you Donovan Mitchell had just six points at halftime and the Cavs would be up 59-39 … would you have believed me? Well, that’s precisely where we stand. So hold onto your hats, cats. The Cavs are looking much more like the team that finished with the No. 4 seed in the East in this one.

6. Oh yeah, we had a Danny Green sighting. Just as many of you (and I) had wished. He even hit a corner 3. Good, let’s see more of him.