On Tuesday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers will welcome the New York Knicks at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in game two.
The most recent Injury report for Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks
FOR THE CAVALIERS
After losing at home over the weekend, Cleveland knows it cannot afford to go behind 0-2 as the series moves to New York.
Despite being the top seed, they’ve struggled this season against the Knicks, winning only one of their five encounters.
With one of the greatest home records in the league, they’ll be sure that they can rebound on Tuesday night, albeit it won’t be easy.
They need to be stronger in the frontcourt, but they also need to score more points after only having three players score in double figures in game one.
This team has quality and depth, but they must put together a full effort or else they will be up against the wall for the rest of the series.
Another advantage for Cleveland this season has been their ability to stay healthy.
While New York is without one of its two greatest players, the Cavaliers will merely be without a bench player.
Dylan Windler (foot) has been ruled out, although his absence should have no bearing on how this game plays out.
Cleveland boasts the series’ leading scorer in Donovan Mitchell, who had 38 points in the first game despite the fact that the rest of the squad struggled to assist him.
In Tuesday’s rematch, the bench must be stronger, and they must find a way to involve the frontcourt more.
This season, efficient scoring has not been a concern, but a lack of speed has kept their own score low.
With one of the league’s greatest defenses, they must keep the Knicks in check or else they will struggle to keep up.
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FOR THE KNICKS
After pulling off an upset in game one over the weekend, New York is looking to get out to a 2-0 start in this Eastern Conference matchup.
It took everything for them to win the first game, and doing it for the second time in a row could be difficult.
They have a lot of confidence after their performance versus Cleveland this season, particularly winning the last two games at Cleveland.
In any case, New York has a winning record on the road this season and, having already won a road game in this series, will be playing with house money on Tuesday night.
A 2-0 start would set the tone for their return to New York, and they have the talent to do so.
New York is likely to be without Josh Hart (ankle), who is doubtful for this one and will be missed.
With a pair of additional bench players also missing, depth could be an issue in game two, especially as they travel.
The Knicks had terrific output from their players in the first game, but after Hart put up a double-double, they’ll be looking for a way to match that scoring.
Cleveland’s defense was one of the best this season, and despite not being the most efficient, New York will turn on Julius Randle to lead the way.
Finding success from three-point range is a plausible path for them to go in the rematch, and they have the size in the frontcourt to keep things interesting.
On defense, they’ll relish the opportunity to make things difficult for the Cavs for the second day in a row, but they’ll need to keep the pressure on Cleveland’s backcourt.
Jalen Brunson is expected to be the X-factor in this one on both ends, and after scoring 27 points in the first game, he’ll seek to capitalize on that matchup again.
Josh Hart and Isaiah Roby are both injured and will be unable to participate today.
- Josh Hart
Hart (ankle) is questionable for Game 2 against the Cavs on Tuesday.
Hart was limited during Monday’s practice due to a left ankle sprain, and it appears he will miss at least one game.
This is a significant setback to the Knicks’ depth, as the Villanova product scored 17 points (8-11 FG) and grabbed 10 rebounds in 33 minutes during New York’s Game 1 victory.
Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin would be possibilities for increased minutes if Hart is ruled out, but Miles McBride, who didn’t play at all on Saturday, could also muscle his way into the postseason rotation.
- Isaiah Roby
Roby is listed as out for Game 2 against the Cavs on Tuesday due to a right ankle strain.
Roby will miss the first two games of the postseason due to an ankle ailment. His absence should have little effect on the Knicks’ postseason rotation.
