Knicks' defense muscles up on Cavs in Game 3 romp at MSG

NEW YORK — The New York Knicks didn't just beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Friday night, they made a statement on how they hope the rest of the series plays out.

The Knicks won 99-79, holding the Cavs to the fewest points by any team in the NBA this season to take a 2-1 series lead. They beat up a Cavs team that was feeling confident after Tuesday's convincing Game 2 victory and believed they were ready for the raucous environment that awaited them at Madison Square Garden.

«We were locked in,» Knicks guard Jalen Brunson said. «Just a credit to the coaching staff, getting us ready and everyone just locking in on our game plan and executing and everyone on the same page.»

Both teams looked off throughout the first half while adjusting to the emotion of the sellout crowd, but it was the Knicks who took control of the game by tightening up on the defensive end and holding Cavs guard Darius Garland to a 4-for-21 performance from the field after he torched the Knicks for 32 points in Game 2. After looking disjointed throughout Tuesday's Game 2 loss, the Knicks played with cohesion and fed off the energy in the building.

«I thought we had good overall activity,» Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. «Good intensity, guys were connected, did a good job challenging shots and finishing.»

Brunson, who finished with 21 points and six assists, certainly answered the bell for his team. He set a tone for the group in the second half while making several big plays to put the game out of reach. The Knicks also took advantage of the Cavs' 20 turnovers, turning them into 28 points in a game in which baskets were hard to come by.

«I think we kind of shot ourselves in the foot on that one,» Cavs