Knicks and Cavs’ uncannily similar seasons hint at a possible thrilling postseason matchup.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks are not that similar. Both teams, though, are strong contenders in the Eastern Conference. The success of the Knicks and Cavs could put them in danger of colliding once more.
In the first round of the 2023 Eastern Conference Playoffs, New York defeated the Cavaliers over five games after Cleveland defeated them in the Donovan Mitchell sweepstakes in the summer of 2022.
Fast forwarding to the present, the Knicks are 32-18, which is good for the fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Prior to the season, a 32-18 record as of early February would probably be seen as a best case scenario for even the most die-hard Knicks fans. But New York is playing incredibly good basketball of late. They are 15-3 since the OG Anunoby trade, and they just had their most successful month since 1994, going 14-2 in January.
But as good as the Knicks have been, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been arguably even better. Cleveland is 31-16, which means they are a half-game ahead of New York in the Eastern Conference standings. And they are 13-2 since January 1. The Knicks and Cavaliers have only played each other twice so far this season. The games were played as a back-to-back early in the season. The Cavaliers won the first game in Cleveland by 18 points, and the Knicks won the second game in New York by six points. They only play one more time this season, on March 3 in Cleveland.
Granted, the Knicks and Cavaliers would not play until a potential Eastern Conference Finals matchup if their seeding held true for the postseason. However, the standings are subject to change in February and between the All-Star Break and the regular season’s conclusion, sometimes dramatically.
However, the Knicks and Cavs’ positions in the Eastern Conference standings won’t be determined solely by coincidence. Unavoidably, injuries will also be a factor. And with Julius Randle out through at least the All-Star break due to a dislocated shoulder, New York’s injury fate appears more pertinent right now.
Should Randle make a quick comeback following the break, New York may not lose too much ground to their rivals in the Eastern Conference. They currently have a one-game advantage over the fifth-seeded Philadelphia 76ers, who are dealing with more significant injury problems of their own. Additionally, they lead the sixth-seeded Indiana Pacers by 4.5 games. Who knows how much the Knicks’ chances of winning are jeopardized if Randle’s injury causes him to miss more time.
But in the few games that have passed since Randle’s shoulder injury, guys have come up big. The NBA community is aware of Jalen Brunson’s skill level. But other guys have also played incredibly well, particularly Donte DiVincenzo and Precious Achiuwa.
In the past four games without Randle, DiVincenzo is averaging nearly 27 points per game. And Achiuwa, a guy who averages 7.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per game for his career, is averaging more than 12 points and 8 rebounds per contest. Therefore, even if Randle’s injury hurts New York’s chances of making the playoffs, it might benefit them in terms of player growth and teamwork.
Although they technically predate the Knicks’ injury problems, Cleveland has also faced its share of injuries. In actuality, the Cavaliers’ success has mostly come from being without two of their stars.
