Randle returns as Knicks post 'a great team win' in Game 1

CLEVELAND — As the New York Knicks crept closer to Game 1 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers, they did so believing that Julius Randle would find a way to play.

After spraining his left ankle March 29 against the Miami Heat, there was some question as to whether the All Star forward would be ready for the start of the series. But anyone who watched him in recent days and knew the type of determination he displayed night in and night out throughout the season never doubted what would happen Saturday night.

The fact that Randle scored 19 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out four assists in almost 34 minutes and helped carry the tough-minded group to a 101-97 Game 1 win was less of a surprise and more of a premonition for those that knew him best.

«The people that are around him, we all know, you're going to get everything he has,» Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said after the game. «Julius played in 77 games until he sprained his ankle.… you're going to get everything he has. I knew if he could go, he would go. That's Julius.»

Randle acknowledged after the game that he was confident he'd find a way to play as he continued rehabbing his ankle. He provided exactly the kind of lift Thibodeau was hoping to see, an engine behind the Knicks' impressive 51-38 rebounding advantage over a Cavs team that didn't have enough answers down the stretch.

«Every day I got like significantly better,» Randle said. «So I felt by the time Saturday got here I would be fine.»

While Randle provided a scoring boost throughout the night, the biggest play he made came with the Knicks clinging to a 99-97 lead with less than 10 seconds left in regulation. Knicks guard Jalen Brunson missed a 22-foot