Jarrett Allen recorded 13 points (5-of-10 FGs, 3-of-6 FTs), 10 rebounds, one steal and two blocked shots in Thursday’s Game 2 loss to the Knicks.

After a pedestrian 10-point, seven-rebound effort in Game 1, Allen recorded his first double-double since Game 5 of the Detroit series on Thursday. He was also reasonably productive as a defender, recording three defensive contributions. However, Cleveland’s inability to knock down shots eliminated their chances of winning, especially as the Knicks went on an 18-0 run in the third quarter. Allen and the Cavaliers will look to rebound when they host Game 3 on Saturday.

Evan Mobley accounted for 14 points (5-of-8 FGs, 2-of-4 FTs), six rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two three-pointers in Thursday’s Game 2 loss to the Knicks.

Overall, Mobley was effective when he got the ball in Game 2. His lack of touches in the second half was a major issue for the Cavaliers. Somehow, Mobley did not attempt a shot after halftime, which cannot happen, even with Donovan Mitchell and James Harden on the floor. If there’s any player in the Cavaliers’ starting lineup capable of being a game-changer, it may be Mobley, especially with the Knicks playing one big at most times. But that can’t happen if he isn’t getting the ball. The Cavaliers will look to cut their series deficit in half with a win in Game 3 on Saturday.

James Harden tallied 18 points (6-of-15 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), six rebounds, two assists, two steals and three three-pointers in Thursday’s Game 2 loss to the Knicks.

After racking up six turnovers and getting torched defensively by Jalen Brunson in Game 1, Harden recorded a better stat line on Thursday. While the field-goal percentage remained low, The Beard did not commit a turnover in 32 minutes. However, he had just two assists, a byproduct of the Cavaliers’ shooting 38.8 percent from the field and 9-of-35 from three. The Cavaliers will hope that Harden can find his groove in Game 3 on Saturday, as they sit in a 0-2 hole.

Donovan Mitchell finished Thursday’s Game 2 loss to the Knicks with 26 points (8-of-18 FGs, 8-of-9 FTs), four rebounds, one assist, one block and two three-pointers.

After blowing Game 1, the Cavaliers could not find their stroke in Game 2. Mitchell, who scored 19 points in the second half, was the exception, as Cleveland shot 38.8 percent from the field as a team. New York, which erased a 22-point deficit in the opener, grabbed control of Game 2 with an 18-0 run during the third quarter. Mitchell did what he could to pull the Cavaliers to as close as seven, but the hole was too deep to climb out of completely. While there have been some concerns that he may have tweaked something in his lower body during Game 1, Mitchell said after Thursday’s defeat that he’s fine. The usual explosiveness was not there, but it’s clear that he isn’t going to make any excuses. Cleveland will look to defend home court when it hosts Game 3 on Saturday.

Karl-Anthony Towns accumulated 18 points (7-of-12 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), 13 rebounds, one assist and three three-pointers in Thursday’s Game 2 win over the Cavaliers.

After a modest scoring effort in Game 1, Towns was a bit better in Thursday’s Game 2 victory. He hasn’t been able to facilitate as much as he did in the first two playoff series, but KAT has been dominant on the glass against the Cavaliers. Through two games, Towns has 26 rebounds, and unlike Game 1, he kept the turnovers in check on Thursday. The Knicks center did not commit any after coughing up the ball seven times in Game 1. Game 3 is on Saturday in Cleveland, with New York looking to take a 3-0 lead.

Jalen Brunson tallied 19 points (7-of-16 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), three rebounds, 14 assists and one three-pointer in Thursday’s Game 2 win over the Cavaliers.

After going off for 38 points in a wild series-opening victory, Brunson was more playmaker than scorer in Game 2. The Knicks’ point guard recorded a playoff career-high 14 assists while committing three turnovers, compensating for a 1-of-7 night from beyond the arc. Regardless of Cleveland’s defensive approach, Brunson has been able to do what he wants, whether that’s score or assist. He and the Knicks will look to tighten their grip on the series with a win in Game 3 on Saturday.

Mikal Bridges recorded 19 points (9-of-12 FGs), three rebounds, three assists, one steal and one three-pointer in Thursday’s Game 2 win over the Cavaliers.

Over his last seven games, Bridges has averaged 18.7 points on 68 percent shooting from the field. To say that he’s rebounded from his slow start to the postseason would be an understatement. Bridges has remained aggressive, and the improved approach has paid dividends. The Knicks, who have won nine consecutive games, will take a 2-0 series lead to Cleveland for Saturday’s Game 3.

Josh Hart notched 26 points (10-of-21 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), four rebounds, seven assists, two steals and five three-pointers in Thursday’s Game 2 win over the Cavaliers.

After struggling to the point where he watched most of the fourth quarter and overtime of Game 1 from the bench, Hart bounced back in a major way. After missing his first four shot attempts, the Knicks’ wing did not lose his confidence, and his faith was rewarded. Hart recorded playoff career-highs in points and three-pointers while also providing secondary playmaking. Cleveland may look to dare Hart to knock down shots again in Saturday’s Game 3, but he showed in Game 2 that he’s capable of making them play. New York will take a 2-0 lead to Cleveland.

Evan Mobley finished Tuesday’s loss to the Knicks with 15 points (6-of-16 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), 14 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two three-pointers.

Mobley landed a double-double on Tuesday, as he dominated the defensive glass and did a fine job of erasing shot attempts. Yet his shooting struggles from beyond the arc prevented him from delivering a bigger offensive performance, while failing to make the Knicks pay for gifting him open looks. Given his inefficiency from deep in Game 1, there’s a chance those same shots could be there for him to take. He’ll need to step into those looks and capitalize in Game 2 better than he did on Tuesday.

James Harden produced 15 points (5-of-16 FGs, 4-of-6 FTs), four rebounds, three assists, one steal, one block and one three-pointer in the loss to the Knicks on Tuesday.

Harden had a rough Tuesday night at MSG. He struggled with his shot, particularly from beyond the arc, failed to generate points for his teammates, and turned the ball over six times. Additionally, he was the defensive target the Knicks repeatedly aimed for during the fourth quarter and overtime, as New York walked down Cleveland and overcame a 22-point comeback. Harden will almost certainly need to be better going forward for the Cavaliers to win games in this series. He’ll have a chance to bounce back in Game 2 on Thursday.

Donovan Mitchell finished Tuesday’s loss to the Knicks with 29 points (12-of-23 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), five rebounds, three assists, six steals, one block and four three-pointers.

Mitchell was highly productive on Tuesday. In his 41 minutes, he led the Cavaliers in points, was their most productive three-point shooter, and was massive on the defensive end, recording seven stocks. Yet Mitchell and his teammates struggled to generate enough two-way production to protect a 22-point fourth-quarter lead, which led to an overtime period and an eventual loss for the Cavaliers. Mitchell shot 1-of-6 and tallied two total points in the fourth quarter and overtime combined. He’ll have a chance to bounce back and help Cleveland try to even the series on Thursday.

KAT tallied 13 points (6-of-14 FGs), 13 rebounds, five assists, one steal, one block and one three-pointer in Tuesday’s win over the Cavaliers.

Karl-Anthony Towns notched his seventh double-double of the postseason on Tuesday in his 40 minutes of game action. Yet, his numbers weren’t spectacular. Towns struggled from behind the three-point line, and his seven turnovers are notable. Still, he was part of a Knicks unit that overcame a 22-point fourth-quarter deficit to push the team to a Game 1 win. Towns has had a productive postseason and will have a chance to add to it in Game 2.

OG Anunoby (hamstring) totaled 13 points (2-of-9 FGs, 8-of-10 FTs), five rebounds, two assists, one steal and one three-pointer in the win over the Cavaliers on Tuesday.

It took a while for Anunoby to find his rhythm in his first game back from a hamstring injury. However, he found offensive production at just the right time, as he scored nine of New York’s 14 points in overtime to help complete the largest comeback in the franchise’s history. Most importantly, Anunoby logged 34 minutes in his return and appeared to finish the game without any new or aggravated injuries. His status going into Game 2 will be one to monitor.

Jalen Brunson tallied 38 points (15-of-29 FGs,7-of-10 FTs), five rebounds, six assists, three steals and one three-pointer in the win over the Cavaliers on Tuesday.

Despite having 21 points at the end of the third quarter, Brunson had not performed at a high level overall— he’s missed the mark on each of his three-point attempts, was 7-of-18 from the field, and his team trailed by 14 going into the final frame. Yet, he hit a switch in the fourth quarter as the Knicks trailed by as many as 22 points. The all-star guard electrified MSG with 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting in the final period to force overtime, where he then landed another couple of points to finish on the verge of 40. The Knicks finished the game on a 44-11 run and will take a 1-0 series lead.

OG Anunoby, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns will start against the Cavaliers on Tuesday.

The Knicks will have their starting forward back for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Anunoby had missed the final two games of the second-round series against the Sixers, but his return on Tuesday will provide New York with more versatility on both sides of the ball. He’s averaging 21.4 points and 7.5 assists on 61.9/53.8/81.1 shooting splits during the postseason.

Larry Nance Jr. (illness) is questionable to play against the Knicks on Tuesday.

Nance missed Games 6 and 7 against the Pistons with this illness and could remain out for another game. He played five minutes in the first round against the Raptors but didn’t see the floor at all against Detroit. His status won’t impact the Cavaliers’ rotation for the conference finals.

OG Anunoby (hamstring) is probable to play against the Cavaliers on Tuesday.

Anunoby missed Games 3 and 4 of the Knicks’ series against the 76ers, but he is expected to return to take on Cleveland. This doesn’t come as a surprise after he was a full participant in practice last week. Miles McBride replaced him in the starting lineup but will head back to the bench with Anunoby likely to return.

Evan Mobley accounted for 21 points (7-of-10 FGs, 6-of-11 FTs), 12 rebounds, six assists, two steals, two blocks and one three-pointer in Sunday’s Game 7 win over the Pistons.

Cleveland’s starting bigs were dominant in Game 7. Mobley recorded a double-double as part of a complete stat line, with Jarrett Allen going for 23 points and seven rebounds. Mobley scored at least 17 points in each of the final four games of the series, with Cleveland winning three. The Cavaliers will look to him for similar production against the Knicks in the conference finals, with Game 1 scheduled for Tuesday night.

Donovan Mitchell finished Sunday’s Game 7 win over the Pistons with 26 points (10-of-22 FGs, 4-of-6 FTs), six rebounds, eight assists, one steal, one block and two three-pointers.

Mitchell and the Cavaliers are headed to the conference finals for the first time since 2018 after a dominant showing in Game 7. He rebounded from a poor Game 6, not only as a scorer but as a playmaker. After recording three assists on Friday, Mitchell was responsible for eight in Game 7 while committing three turnovers. He and the other Cavaliers were able to get into the paint early and often, which opened up everything offensively for them. Game 1 of the conference finals is on Tuesday in New York.

Donovan Mitchell finished Sunday’s Game 7 win over the Pistons with 26 points (10-of-22 FGs, 4-of-6 FTs), seven rebounds, eight assists, one steal, one block and two three-pointers.

Sam Merrill recorded 23 points (7-of-10 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), one rebound, two assists, one steal and five three-pointers in Sunday’s Game 7 win over the Pistons.

Usually, James Harden (nine points, five rebounds and six assists) shooting 2-of-10 from the field would spell doom for his team. That wasn’t the case on Sunday, with Merrill’s performance among the reasons why. Shooting 5-of-8 from beyond the arc, Merrill was one of four Cavaliers to finish the 125-94 rout with at least 20 points. Max Strus (9/3/2/3 with one three-pointer) was the fifth starter on Sunday, replacing Dean Wade, but there’s room for Merrill to step up as well. Cleveland visits New York on Tuesday in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Jarrett Allen tallied 23 points (8-of-14 FGs, 7-of-13 FTs), seven rebounds, one assist, one steal and one blocked shot in Sunday’s Game 7 win over the Pistons.

As he did in Cleveland’s first-round series against Toronto, Allen saved his best for last as the Cavs earned their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2018. The Cavaliers’ starting center thoroughly outplayed Jalen Duren, and his stat line lacked only a three-pointer. In the Game 7 win over Toronto in the first round, Allen put up 22 points, 19 rebounds, two steals and three blocks. Things won’t get easier for Allen and the Cavaliers, as they visit the Knicks in Game 1 of the conference finals on Tuesday.

James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen will start Sunday’s Game 7 against the Pistons.

The Cavaliers have changed their starting lineup for Game 7, with Strus replacing Dean Wade. Strus offers a higher offensive ceiling, and he can also take on the task of defending Cade Cunningham. The other four starters are unchanged.

Larry Nance Jr. (illness) is out for Sunday’s Game 7 against the Pistons.

Nance is inactive for a second consecutive game due to an illness. He has not been a consistent member of the Cavaliers’ rotation, and that was unlikely to change for Sunday’s series decider.