Are the Cavaliers still in this?

The Knicks pick up another win, and Cleveland is down 0-2 again. What's the path forward?

Good morning. It's Friday. Let's basketball.

New York's Game 1 win required an epic comeback after the Cavaliers ran away with the game. Game 2 on Thursday was not the same: it was the Knicks who built up a big lead and then defended it, eventually winning 109-93. The scoring heroics didn't come from Jalen Brunson, but from Josh Hart, who punished Cleveland for leaving him open.

Brunson finished with 14 assists, and found Hart repeatedly as Cleveland shaded help toward The Captain. The Cavaliers are struggling to find ways to shut down multiple aspects of the brilliant New York offense: they can cut Brunson's water with attention and help, but he's become a good enough passer to make them pay. Hart consistently made good decisions: shooting open shots when he had space, attacking the paint when close-outs came. If the calculus changes on Hart – for instance, if he stops hitting shots – the Knicks have other options to turn to, like Mikal Bridges (who has been excellent for a few weeks now) and O.G. Anunoby (who looks nowhere near 100% but is still contributing on both ends).

The question to me is whether the Cavaliers, who went down 0-2 to the Pistons last round before winning three straight and eventually advancing, can do that against an opponent playing this well. And I'm really skeptical despite the fundamentals of Cleveland's performance being fine.