[news.google.com] — Tuesday, April 18, 2023 7:20:00 AM
New York Knicks at Cleveland Cavaliers odds, picks and predictions USA TODAY Sportsbook Wire
[news.google.com] — Tuesday, April 18, 2023 6:06:01 AM
Cavs must rebound better to bounce back vs. Knicks in Game 2 Akron Beacon Journal
[news.google.com] — Tuesday, April 18, 2023 6:00:00 AM
Can the New York Knicks’ Youth Movement Help Topple the Cavaliers? The Ringer
[news.google.com] — Tuesday, April 18, 2023 5:01:00 AM
Cavs vs. Knicks Game 2: Odds, preview, injury report, lineups, TV cleveland.com
[news.google.com] — Tuesday, April 18, 2023 3:05:40 AM
New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction, Preview, and … Winners and Whiners
[news.google.com] — Monday, April 17, 2023 11:09:00 PM
Knicks’ Quentin Grimes could see expanded Game 2 role after strong playoff debut New York Post
[news.google.com] — Monday, April 17, 2023 10:43:40 PM
Knicks’ Hart doubtful with ankle sprain for Game 2 vs. Cavs NBA.com
[news.google.com] — Monday, April 17, 2023 10:00:00 PM
Game 2 Knicks vs Cavaliers odds, picks and same-game parlay cleveland.com
[news.google.com] — Monday, April 17, 2023 8:36:00 PM
Knicks can’t look at Game 2 against Cavaliers as house-money freebie anymore New York Post
[news.google.com] — Monday, April 17, 2023 8:07:00 PM
2023 NBA playoffs: 3 biggest Knicks questions entering Game 2 at Cavs Yahoo Sports
[news.google.com] — Monday, April 17, 2023 6:41:00 PM
NY’s Knicks, Nets, Rangers, Islanders, and NJ’s Devils in playoffs for … Gothamist
[news.google.com] — Monday, April 17, 2023 6:01:24 PM
Josh Hart injury update: Knicks guard doubtful for Game 2 vs. Cavaliers with sprained ankle CBS Sports
[news.google.com] — Monday, April 17, 2023 5:46:00 PM
Knicks vs. Cavaliers Odds, Pick, Game 2 Prediction | NBA Playoffs Betting Preview (April 18) The Action Network
[news.google.com] — Monday, April 17, 2023 5:04:03 PM
NBA Playoffs Odds: Knicks-Cavaliers Game 2 prediction, pick, how … ClutchPoints
[news.google.com] — Monday, April 17, 2023 3:02:22 PM
New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors reportedly could target OG Anunoby trade this summer Sportsnaut
[news.google.com] — Monday, April 17, 2023 2:59:00 PM
Knicks’ Josh Hart doubtful with ankle injury in Game 2 worry New York Post
[news.google.com] — Monday, April 17, 2023 12:10:44 PM
The two huge offensive rebounds that sealed the Knicks’ Game 1 victory Posting and Toasting
[news.google.com] — Monday, April 17, 2023 9:31:05 AM
Jalen Brunson saved the Knicks and sank the Mavericks in free agency for the ages SB Nation
[news.google.com] — Monday, April 17, 2023 8:19:57 AM
Confident Jalen Brunson has Knicks finally headed in right direction Yahoo Sports
[news.google.com] — Monday, April 17, 2023 8:03:00 AM
Luka Doncic Wild Mavs Trade Speculation Leads to Jalen Brunson & Knicks Rumor Sports Illustrated
54 replies on “Knicks Morning News (2023.04.18)”
It’s still strange to go the playoffs page on NBA.com and read “NYK leads”. 😛 But i can get used to it. 😉
SAC is a fun team to root for. I was sort of pulling for the Dubs in a muscle memory sort of way, but the Kings are so much more compelling.
As to Hart being doubtful for tonight, the more I think about it, the more I want Deuce to be given some minutes. Part of the reason was watching Davion Mitchell doing his Off Night thing on Steph. I personally believe that Deuce is an elite defensive guard, and since both Garland and Spida are in his size category, seems like he is perfectly suited for hounding them for 10 minutes or so. In addition, Deuce has some Hart-like qualities as an all-around gritty/heady player. Since there are multiple scenarios where he might be needed situationally in a longer playoff run, I’d rather do that than shorten the rotation.
For all of his warts, RJ is still a good 3rd wheel on offense. With his shooting issues, and slow adjustment to his new role- he still got 20 ppg. That’s something to work with- but it requires RJ to dig in on defense and playmaking, get comfortable in the midrange, and accept the fact that he doesn’t need to be ‘the guy’ for this team to win. If that means RJ drops to 17 a game with an uptick in FG percentage, and a higher FT rate- that is still very good. Think more of a Wiggins role or more precisely- a baby Butler. Butler doesn’t care if his Stat line ends up being 13/6/7 if his overall contributions helps the team win the game.
Our core players are good. And when I say core, I’m thinking of 8 players: the starting 5 plus Hart, Hartenstein, and Quickley. Unless a star type player shakes loose, the FO should focus on using Obi, Fournier, and even Sims(unfortunately) to augment that core. We have the picks to do it, and as long as we don’t have a massive overpay like Minny did in the Gobert trade, I think everything should be on the table outside of those core 8 players. I have my eye on OG and PG. Those 2 are perfect for this team as constructed. If Isaac’s salary wasn’t so high, I’d look to swipe him too.
All that said, this team is in great position moving forward, regardless of how the postseason goes for us.
PS: I’m not abandoning Obi, it’s just clear that he deserves a bigger role that he’s not going to get on this team. So they should use his momentum and move him while he’s hot
Re: Hart injury, we can’t know for sure what’s happening because the Knicks are very hard to read when it comes to injuries. Randle was clearly healthy and they only changed his status when there was like 2 hours to the game or something. I hope he plays, but i also hope we don’t risk him missing more games later just to play this one. But i trust the Knicks on this, i don’t think they put players to risk, and we have less injuries than the league average so they must have been doing things right. At least i think we do, i don’t have numbers to back me up on this.
But playing without Hart won’t be a piece of cake. I think we’re very leveled with the Cavs, so every player missing and every player playing bad (hello RJ!) can make the difference.
Obviously Hart is key to a long playoff run and if we were down 0-1, I’d feel different. But we’re up 1-0 on the road. I want to win tonight’s game badly but it is also house money to a certain extent.
We won 9 games in a row without Hart and with Deuce in the rotation. And that was before he improved a bit on offense (and also before Hartenstein really found his groove).
Hart was phenomenal last game but IQ had a pretty bad game, Grimes contributed nothing on offense and RJ bricked a ton of shots. Two of those things are likely not to happen again tonight. Plus Randle was a bit gassed/rusty and Brunson was in early foul trouble last game. We have a bunch of players who can play better than they did last game.
And Deuce does bring the defensive intensity that we need. Plus, I just think it would be good for him and cool for us to see him get some playoff minutes. And he can guard Mitchell or Garland, so I say let him play.
If Hart is truly OK, them obviously you play him. But if he’s iffy, just let him sit a game. We can win one game without him and even if we don’t, it’s not the end of the world.
“Re: Hart injury, we can’t know for sure what’s happening because the Knicks are very hard to read when it comes to injuries. Randle was clearly healthy and they only changed his status when there was like 2 hours to the game or something.”
Iirc Randle was listed as questionable the day prior to game day while Hart was listed as doubtful. That seems significant to me, although that could also be due to the newness of Hart’s injury and the fact that we already won Game 1. In any case, let’s hope for a quick recovery and a prudent decision!
Questionable players usually play, doubtful players usually sit. It’s concerning that he’s listed as doubtful whether he plays or not.
Hopefully it’s a speedy recovery.
Let him sit. Next man up. We got this.
“Obviously Hart is key to a long playoff run and if we were down 0-1, I’d feel different. But we’re up 1-0 on the road. I want to win tonight’s game badly but it is also house money to a certain extent.”
I reject the “house money” hypothesis. That lingo should be reserved for proven playoff teams in favorable matchups. We still have to win 3 out of 6 games, half of which are on the road, and we haven’t exactly been world-beaters at home. Obviously you shouldn’t treat this like a game 7, but if Hart can go without clearly risking his health for the remainder of the series, he should go. In general, grade 1 sprains that are wrapped tightly are more about pain and stiffness, and not really risky, especially with 3 days rest before game 3. I would think that if he can’t go, it’s more about his ability to run, jump, move laterally, and cut than it is about anything else.
Interesting tidbit from a Cavs beat reporter:
“Chris Fedor
@ChrisFedor
Just watched #Cavs & #Knicks Game 1 again. There were 4 plays from Julius Randle that could’ve been viewed as crossing the line of usual playoff physicality. Wouldn’t be surprised if Cavs submitted them to NBA to make them aware. Three elbows. And a foot to Cedi Osman’s head”
It’s not interesting, the Cavs & their fans have just been crying about the game non-stop. It’s the most nothing that has ever been nothinged.
yeah…the “house money” view is bs…you try to close it out as fast as possible and move on….if he can go at 75% or so..he’ll be out there…its the freaking playoffs…
Cybersoze, even playing with Hart is far from a piece of cake. This is going to be a tough game.
The Cavs fans may have been crying about the game and saying the Knicks went over the line and weren’t called, but the Cavs themselves seem to be saying that they have to be more physical. That conclusion is drawn from all the quotes and news from a Cavs perspective that I’ve read. That’s different from saying tge sónicos were too physical.
The Cavs really have sounded like Mark Cuban since Saturday lol. Playoff physicality is a fact of life. I’m sure it hurts more when burly players impose their will, but they should just man up. I’m not gonna call them soft, but before they go crying to the league and anyone who would listen- maybe they should match our physicality first and see how that goes. Bottom line is- as Garland so accurately described it- they got punched in the mouth and didn’t respond. I don’t think anything about the game was overly physical. In fact- I SCREAMED at the TV when they reviewed Julius’ inadvertent elbow to Okoro’s face. Stevie Wonder could see that was a basketball move and Okoro stuck his face too far in there as a byproduct of playing tight defense. Things like that are gonna happen. I think the refs reviewed it because the Cavs were getting overpowered inside and looking to the refs to save them. They really need to just play ball because it’s the playoffs as opposed to acting like we employ Draymond Green or some shit.
Btw..I get what Dray did, but you can’t do that bro. Not without making it look like you’re trying to avoid stepping on his chest. I agree wholeheartedly with what Shaq said about it, but don’t make it look intentional. Sabonis should have never grabbed his leg. But being a so-called veteran leader, Dray should know better than to blatantly and intentionally stomp another player while he’s on the floor. A nice little kick move in the torso would have sent the same message. Extra emphasis on little. You don’t wanna try to hurt someone. Dray should be suspended a game for what he did
It did make me chuckle a little as I remembered Ndamukong Suh trying to “remove himself from the situation”
Yeah, it was just an expression to point out that it’ll be harder without Hart. I agree with you, i said before the series that we’ll go to game 7 and today i also said we’re very leveled with the Cavs, meaning every detail matters and every win will be a hard fought battle.
I posted this last night, but it may have been too late for someone that knows to have seen it. My old links with historical data like that are not available anymore.
Did anyone happen to see what the line was for the Knicks/Cavs game 1?
it was -5 strat
on draft kings i think it was knicks plus 5 1/2….saw 4.5 on another site…seems like somewhere in there…
“it was -5 strat”
Thanks.
I just found a source for the future.
They are -5.5 tonight. I thought Hart probably being out would move the line a bit more, especially in a must win game for the Cavs. I think Hart’s impact is being underappreciated.
seems like a similar line tonight….
also, keels is questionable with an illness…that could be problematic…
This animation about the Knicks and the playoffs is funny! 😀
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1648068819175260162
Good news! 🙂
That update tugs at my hartstrings! Although the Trevor news keels me….
(and I haven’t started drinking yet!)
Upgraded to questionable!!
LOL
I can’t believe I allowed myself to think anything but a severed foot would prevent Josh Hart from playing a playoff game for Tom Thibodeau
HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE!
“I can’t believe I allowed myself to think anything but a severed foot would prevent Josh Hart from playing a playoff game for Tom Thibodeau”
lmao
That may be why the line didn’t move much. The word may have been out that he was more likely to play that we were being told.
“I can’t believe I allowed myself to think anything but a severed foot would prevent Josh Hart from playing a playoff game for Tom Thibodeau”
LOL, for real.
Watch the Cavs try to pull some bush league sh*t tonight in their attempt to “match” our physicality.
Like, sorry Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson are huge and strong and it’s hard to deal with them. Sorry Josh Hart and IQ hustle their asses off and go for every loose ball and rebound they can. Sorry we play physical. Deal with it. Acting like we’re the bad boy pistons or some stupid sh*t.
Well, just to play devil’s advocate here, Randle IS a bully. He’s not dirty in the least, I can’t think of a single play in the last three years where I thought he went over the line (at least toward other players), but he might be the most physical player in the NBA. Can’t really think of a current comparison… Sabonis is maybe a little similar in using his strength to make things happen. I think we’d all hate him if he played for another team. But I love him on the Knicks.
The rest of our team just plays hard (barring an exception or two…).
Knicks line was anywhere from +4.5 to +5.5 for game 1. Currently at +5.5, though I don’t think the market was pricing in the Hart injury really, but between that and the fact that home favs rarely lose 2 games in a row at home, I think the spread should’ve been a bit wider for the Knicks. If I were betting on this game I’d probably hammer Cavs -5.5
Randle is physically dominant, super strong and very hard to play against. He is not dirty and he doesn’t commit cheap fouls. Huge difference. Sorry, this is a big boy league. Sometimes you gotta face dude’s like Randle.
Yeah cyber, that video was pretty f’n funny!
‘ “NECESSARY SPIN MOVE!” “UNNECESSARY SPIN MOVE!!” ‘ took me tf ouuuut LOL
randle epitomizes bully ball.. well him sabonis and zion are the poster childs … and him and sabonis would get chippy all the time.. that was your generic power forward for most of the nba’s history before stretch bigs were a thing… only now they do so on faceups instead of backing them down on the low block…
it’s really interesting how the game has changed but the most successful 4s continue to be really physical… and don’t really shoot 3s all that well… only now they’re much quicker…
So I don’t mean to mention this so close to the bully boy conversation, but The Athletic just published their anonymous players survey. One of the questions is Most Overrated Player. It goes “Other,” “Trae Young,” and then Julius (7.4%; tied with Pascal). I’m a little surprised.
RJ is tied for 8th (3.7%).
Brunson is tied for 5th for most underrated player, with IQ tied for 9th.
Thibs ran away with ‘Which current coach, aside from your own, would you least want to play for?’
But the analysis is telling, and suggests players aren’t always paying attention (we already know they often make shitty front office staff….)
“Tom Thibodeau has won the NBA Coach of the Year award twice, in 2010-11 leading the Bulls and in 2020-21 leading the Knicks. He’s guided New York to another overachieving performance this season, earning the fifth seed in the East.
One of the reasons for his teams’ success is that he holds his players accountable for their efforts and attention to detail, and that, coupled with his reputation for playing his guys heavy minutes, explains why he led this category by a wide margin.
“Just the grind,” one player said of Thibodeau. “He plays his guys 44 minutes (a game) all year. I’ve heard from guys like if he likes you — if you’re his guy — he’ll treat you great. He’ll play you a lot, talk to you, so you’ll f— with him in that sense. But if you’re on the outside, it’s like you’re not getting back in.”
The thing is, none of his Knicks players ranked among the league’s top 16 in minutes per game this season. Forward Julius Randle averaged 35.6 minutes per game, the 17th highest average in the league. Point guard Jalen Brunson played 35.0 minutes per game, the 23rd highest average. No other New York player ranked in the top 35.”
Top 16?
Reputation takes some time to change, and players definitely don’t pay as much attention to the rest of the league as fans do in terms of keeping up with those small changes. Many players have been quoted as saying they watch very little basketball outside of game tape they’re basically forced to. So yeah, it makes sense that Thibs reputation has stuck with him throughout the years even though it’s been untrue this season.
The Athletic piece doesn’t feature any anonymous quotes about why people consider Randle overrated. I get it in the sense that, in a league where all the stars are mostly healthy, he wouldn’t make All-NBA and might not have been an All-Star. (And he has a seriously uphill climb to make another All-NBA team in the future now that the teams will be positionless.) But I don’t know that anyone holds him up publicly as one of the very best players in the league. Every person who has talked about voting him All-NBA specifically cites games/minutes played as the reason they’re picking him over guys who were better when they played, but who didn’t play nearly as much.
Yeah Alan, I guess Julius and Zion are sort of book ends in this debate
Could also just be payback for getting beat up all the time.
He might score quite high on the “Least fun to play against” if that was a category…
“He plays his guys 44 minutes (a game) all year. I’ve heard from guys like if he likes you — if you’re his guy — he’ll treat you great. He’ll play you a lot, talk to you, so you’ll f— with him in that sense. But if you’re on the outside, it’s like you’re not getting back in.”
He heard that from Cam. 🙂
Woj says Hart is going to play. Hallelujah!
I wonder how divisive Thibs is for the players he’s actually coached. There might be a huge divergence between his guys and the doghouse guys.
Every player loves a coach that plays them and dislikes the coach that benches them. Its usually some subjective reason or an unfortunate circumstance why the bench players are not playing. Most don’t looks at a mirror and be honest with themselves.
Nothing new here…
This made me laugh, sadly.
“If I’m open I’m going to shoot it,” Barrett said. “If they close out, I’m driving. It’s pretty simple.”
(Please also remember that passing is part of the game, RJ…)
That is some quintessential Maple Mamba bulllshit
Sigh…
I think he has a couple of “decent” (read average/non detrimental) games in him in a 7-game series, but I’m starting to feel a bit too optimist…
Sabonis isn’t LeBron, Sacramento isn’t LeBron’s Cavs, so Green will be fined and not suspended, because this league is a farce.
Another medal on Adam Silver’s chest.
*** “If I’m open I’m going to shoot it,” Barrett said. “If they close out, I’m driving. It’s pretty simple.”***
It’s actually not that simple. If he’s driving, he needs a license and needs to register his vehicle with the DMV, where, incidentally, I am right now, and it’s making me never want to drive again.