Add The New York Post on Google The Knicks made it no secret during their Game 1 comeback – they were looking to embarrass James Harden.
After trailing by 22 points in the fourth quarter, the Knicks rallied on the back of their captain clutch, Jalen Brunson, who exposed Harden in the 115-104 overtime victory.
In the fourth quarter, the Knicks were doing everything possible to get Harden as the primary on-ball defender, getting the veteran guard to switch on in nine isolations in the stanza and averaging 1.9 points per action, according to the “All NBA Podcast.”
Jalen Brunson was eating James Harden’s lunch in Game 1. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Those nine isolations resulted in roughly 17.1 points for the Knicks, as Harden could do nothing to help Cleveland while it squandered the lead.
With the Knicks behind, 93-71, with roughly 7:45 to go in the game, a Brunson burner was lit, and the flames completely engulfed Harden.
That trend continued into overtime, as Mike Brown’s group completely blew the Cavaliers out, outscoring them, 14-3, in the deciding five-minute period.
Harden was the screener in 21 on-ball picks in the fourth quarter and overtime combined, where the Knicks got 1.6 points per action in those plays (33.6 points), per the podcast.
“It was no secret we were attacking Harden,” the coach said.
Meanwhile, Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson kept his timeouts in his pocket as the Knicks rallied.
“I like to hold my timeouts,” Atkinson said postgame. “I try to hold them.”
Held them a bit too long on that one, as from 5:34 to 3:30 left in the fourth quarter, Brunson went on an 11-0 run by himself to give the Knicks a chance.
Atkinson mercifully called a timeout with 3:30 left as the Knicks pulled to within five points.
Harden was the primary defender on each of those buckets during the 11-0 Brunson run.
James Harden was targeted all night by the Knicks. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST “No,” Atkinson said when asked if he considered benching Harden during defensive possessions. “He’s been one of our best defenders in these playoffs. I trust him. Smart. Great hands. Didn’t think about that.”
Game 2 on Thursday night is the Cavaliers’ next chance to steal homecourt advantage, but this one has to sting a bit extra Wednesday morning for Cleveland.
