The New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers will play game 5 in Cleveland, with the Cavaliers on the verge of elimination. The first tap is set for 7:00 PM EST. The Knicks won both games in New York City over the weekend, extending their lead in the seven-game series to three games to one.
Injury Report Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks
FOR THE CAVALIERS
The Cleveland Cavaliers return home after being swept in both games in New York, dropping the series to 3-1.
The Cavaliers’ offense, notably top scorer Donovan Mitchell, has struggled against the Knicks’ tenacious defense.
Donovan Mitchell, a Cleveland All-Star, also struggled offensively in Game 4.
Mitchell finished with 11 points, his lowest point total since Feb. 2, and the third consecutive game in the series in which he fell short of his regular-season 28.3-point average.
Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley combined for 26 points and 11 rebounds for the Cavaliers in Game 4. During the regular season, Allen averaged 9.8 boards per game and Mobley 9.0.
If the Cavs are to force a game six in New York on Friday night, they will need to find their offense.
The Cavaliers have failed to score at least 100 points in three of the series’ four games, all losses.
The key for the Cavaliers will be getting more output from Mitchell.
Mitchell, one of the league’s more dynamic scorers, is averaging 22 points a game in the series while shooting 43% from the floor and an uncharacteristic 66% from the free-throw line after shooting 86% on the season.
Mitchell has also averaged fewer than four free throws each game in the series, compared to more than six per game during the regular season.
Windler (foot) will miss Game 5 against the Knicks on Wednesday.
Windler hasn’t played since March 26 due to a sprained left foot. Even if he were available, he is unlikely to be a part of the Cavaliers’ postseason rotation.
FOR THE KNICKS
The New York Knicks will play Game 5 of their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.
If the Knicks win, it will be their first playoff series triumph in a decade.
With a 102-93 victory at home on Sunday, New York seized a 3-1 series lead.
In Sunday’s triumph, the Knicks limited the Cavaliers to 36-of-77 (46.8 percent) shooting from the field, including 6-of-23 from 3-point range.
New York has held Cleveland to fewer than 100 points in all three victories, with the 79 points allowed in a 20-point Game 3 triumph on Friday marking the lowest output for any club this postseason.
New York has also won the rebounding battle in each of its three victories: 51-38 in Game 1, 45-42 in Game 3, and 47-33 on Sunday.
The Knicks grabbed 17 offensive rebounds in Game 4, up from 12.6 per game during the regular season.
That was good enough for third place in the NBA.
Five of Toppin’s eight rebounds came on the offensive end, as the third-year forward took advantage of his most postseason minutes yet. He played 20:01 minutes, over five minutes longer than in Game 3.
Toppin’s expanded role was influenced in part by Julius Randle’s troubles. Randle finished the game with seven points on 3-of-10 shooting and two rebounds in 27:18.
Randle (ankle) missed the final five regular-season games, but the two-time All-Star and Knicks’ regular-season leader in both scoring (25.1 points per game) and rebounding (10 per game) returned with a double-double in Game 1 and 22 points in Game 2.
He scored 18 points on 6-of-25 shooting in New York’s two home games and was benched late in Game 4.
Jericho Sims and Quentin Grimes will not play against the Cavaliers on Wednesday.
Sims (shoulder) has been ruled out of Game 5 against the Cavaliers on Wednesday.
Sims will miss his third game in a row due to right shoulder pain. He wasn’t in the Knicks’ postseason rotation when he was healthy, so his extended absence shouldn’t have an effect.
Grimes (shoulder) is questionable for Game 5 against the Cavaliers on Wednesday.
Grimes had a right shoulder contusion in Game 3 and was forced to sit out Game 4 after being labeled as questionable.
He could return on Wednesday, but if he doesn’t, Josh Hart will likely get another start, while Immanuel Quickley and Miles McBride could see more minutes off the bench.
