NEW YORK — Fresh off of a second consecutive seven-game series, the Cavaliers met the well-rested New York Knicks for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden.
The Cavs took down the top-seeded Detroit Pistons with a Game 7 win in Detroit to advance to the Conference Finals without LeBron James for the first time since 1992. The Knicks, meanwhile, rested for more than a week after sweeping the Philadelphia 76ers in the second around.
In Game 1, the Cavs built a 22-point lead before the Knicks went on a wild 18-1 run in the fourth quarter to force overtime and then overtake Cleveland 115-104 to take a 1-0 series lead.
Here is Beacon Journal writer Ryan Lewis’ instant reaction to Cavs-Knicks Game 1:
Cavs vs Knicks Game 1. Ryan Lewis’ instant reaction
Ryan Lewis covers the Cavaliers for the Akron Beacon Journal. He can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavs vs Knicks instant reactions to stunning Cleveland’s Game 1 loss
Reporting by Ryan Lewis, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
