The Eastern Conference Finals shifts to Cleveland for Game 3, with the Cavaliers desperately needing a win to keep the series alive against the Knicks.<\/p>\n
Cleveland have been outstanding on their home floor throughout the playoffs, and they\u2019ll need that trend to continue after dropping the opening two games in New York.<\/p>\n
The Cavs will still feel they should be returning home with the series tied after blowing a 22-point lead late in Game 1.<\/p>\n
Now facing a 0-2 deficit, Game 3 becomes a must-win if Cleveland are to keep their NBA Finals hopes alive.<\/p>\n
Mikal Bridges had a difficult start to the playoffs and struggled badly during the Atlanta series, but his form has improved significantly over the last two weeks.<\/p>\n
Bridges is averaging 18.7 points across his last seven games and has cleared this line in six of those appearances.<\/p>\n
That includes both games against Cleveland in this series.<\/p>\n
The Cavaliers adjusted heavily toward stopping Jalen Brunson in Game 2, repeatedly over-helping and forcing the ball out of his hands.<\/p>\n
As a result, Bridges benefited with 19 points while finding more open looks in the half court.<\/p>\n
Jarrett Allen doesn\u2019t need a massive scoring night to clear this line.<\/p>\n
The Cleveland centre has scored double-digit points in nine of his last 11 games, with one of the misses coming in a game where he played just 18 minutes.<\/p>\n
Allen has now reached 10+ points in five consecutive games and draws a favourable matchup against Karl-Anthony Towns inside.<\/p>\n
On Cleveland\u2019s home floor, expect the Cavaliers to establish Allen early around the rim.<\/p>\n
Cleveland\u2019s defensive strategy in Game 2 created plenty of assist opportunities for Jalen Brunson.<\/p>\n
The Knicks star finished with 14 assists as the Cavs repeatedly trapped him and forced the ball into the hands of New York\u2019s secondary scorers.<\/p>\n
Brunson isn\u2019t naturally a huge assist producer, but his recent numbers have still been very solid.<\/p>\n
Across his last 25 games, he\u2019s averaging 7.5 assists and has recorded 6+ assists in seven of his last eight outings.<\/p>\n
Given the Cavs are likely to maintain the same defensive approach, another strong playmaking game looks likely.<\/p>\n