Overview
- Game 1 begins Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden on ESPN, with the entire series exclusive to ESPN platforms and Game 3 on ABC.
- OG Anunoby practiced in full Monday and is listed as probable after a low‑grade hamstring strain sustained in the last round.
- New York enters as the favorite after seven straight playoff wins with outsized scoring margins since falling behind Atlanta 2–1.
- Cleveland arrives after Sunday’s decisive Game 7 in Detroit to cap a second straight seven‑game series, highlighting rest versus rhythm as a key variable.
- Tracking data shows Mikal Bridges has held Donovan Mitchell to 35% shooting, while Dean Wade limited Jalen Brunson to 1‑for‑15, signaling matchup choices to watch.