Cavaliers-Knicks Game 3 First-Half Notes

The New York Knicks lead the Cleveland Cavaliers 45-32 at half time of Game 3.

Author:
Tommy Wild
Apr 21, 2023 9:43 PM EDT

In this story:

Cleveland Cavaliers

New York Knicks

The Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks were after a slow start in Game 3. At halftime, it was the Knicks who led the Cavs 45-32.

1. Intense Enviorment

As expected, Madison Square Garden was a loud and hostile environment for the Cavs. The fans enjoyed booing Caris LeVert's two missed free throws and Darius Garland's airball early on in the game.

2. A Cold Start For The Cavs

The Cavs started Game 3 cold from the field. They were 0-for-6 through the first half of the first quarter. Cleveland also shot 33 percent after the first 12:00 minutes.

Thankfully, the Knicks also started just as cold.

3. Bickerstaff Turning To The Vets

J.B. Bickerstaff quickly turned to his veterans with two of the first three players of three players off the bench. The team needed Danny Green and Ricky Rubio's playoff experience on the floor, especially with MSG's belligerent fans.

4. Turning Away From Okoro

Isaac Okoro was out of the starting rotation and was Cleveland's ninth man in the rotation. He didn't check in until the beginning of the second quarter, highlighting where he sits in Bickerstaff's current rotation.

5. Turnovers, A Lot Of Them

The first half wasn't the cleanest basketball for either team. The Cavs and Knicks combined to turn the ball over 19 times in the first half. 12 of those were committed by Cleveland.

6. Poor Shooting

On top of turning the ball over, neither team shot well from the field in the first half. Cleveland and New York combined to go 6-for-38 from behind the arc. The Cavs shot 31 percent from the field and the Knicks were slightly better at 42 percent.