NBA Game of the Week: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks

The New York Knicks return home tonight to face a Cleveland Cavaliers squad that’s likely to be resting its stars. The Cavs held out all of their key players in Thursday’s game against the Pacers, and many expect a similar backup lineup tonight at Madison Square Garden.

The postseason implications from this game couldn’t be more different for these two teams. The Cavaliers have already secured the top seed in the Eastern Conference and have little left to play for in the regular season.

Meanwhile, the Knicks, on the other hand, are loosely hanging on to the No. 3 seed, just barely ahead of Indiana. Either winning tonight or the help of a Pacers loss would secure New York in the third spot.

Both teams will complete a back-to-back set after suffering road losses Thursday night. The Knicks fell to the Pistons 115-106 and the Cavaliers lost to the Indiana Pacers 114-112.

Given the difference in motivation and outcomes needed, there will be very different expected lineups for the two teams, with the Knicks expecting the stronger front line.

Cleveland is on the second night of a back-to-back and playing their third game in four days after flying in from Indiana late last night. With starters expected to rest again, that puts even more exhaustion on their second line.

Meanwhile, the Knicks should be highly motivated to bounce back from a frustrating loss in Detroit. If the Knicks can secure a locking lead early on, there is potential they even rest their own starters in the fourth quarter if things go to plan.

However, as of today, the Knicks have listed both Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, their two best players, as questionable ahead of the crucial matchup.

Bronwyn Liber is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email brl5354@psu.edu.