Knicks flip script, exploit James Harden to spark Game 1 rally - ESPN

NEW YORK — It wasn't quite a matter of pettiness, but the New York Knicks found their idea for an improbable comeback thanks to the Cleveland Cavaliers trying to exploit Jalen Brunson on defense.

Trailing by 22 points with 8:19 left in the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, the Knicks had Brunson go at James Harden. The result was a 44-11 flurry by New York in the fourth quarter and overtime to complete one of the greatest comebacks in NBA history.

«You got to do what the game dictates,» Knicks head coach Mike Brown said. «They were doing the same thing with Jalen so we said, two can play that game.»

According to ESPN Analytics, the Cavaliers had a 99.9% chance of winning with 7:49 left. The Cavaliers' rhythm was winning out against the Knicks' rust after New York had nine days off following its sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers. And the Cavs were getting great looks by going at Brunson and Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns.

But something flipped with the Knicks and it began with Brunson dictating switches on the 36-year old Harden, who didn't seem to have the legs to keep up with Brunson. The Knicks' point guard attacked Harden relentlessly late in the fourth quarter, at one point hitting five straight field goals to cut Cleveland's lead to five points.

Brunson scored 16 of his game-high 38 points in the fourth, while Harden shot 1-of-6 from the field and missed all three of his 3-pointers. Brunson finished the game shooting 7-of-11 from the field when being guarded by Harden compared with 8-of-18 when being defended by anyone else.

«It was no secret, we were attacking Harden,» Brown said. «Just like we have to figure out different ways to guard Harden and [Donovan] Mitchell, they have to find ways