Mitchell was the best of the Cavaliers with 38 points and 8 assists
Ricky Rubio only played 5 minutes with the Cavaliers
With a stellar Jalen Brunson in the denouement, The New York Knicks took the lead this Saturday in their first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a valuable victory at home after a very even duel (97-101).
In this series that promises strong emotions, the Knicks (fifth in the East) dominated the first game, which was played in Clevelandpractically from the first quarter with a maximum difference of +12 in the second period.
However, the Cavaliers (fourth in the East) did not give up and, with a 9-0 run led by a huge Donovan Mitchell, they came to be ahead with only 2.12 to go (93-92).
At that moment of nerves and chills appeared Brunson, essential for the New York team with a midrange shot and a drive in the last two minutes that led the way to victory for the Knicks.
The point guard finished with 27 points and made the evening bitter for a sensational Mitchell for the Cavaliers with 38 points and 8 assists.
Julius Randle (19 points and 10 rebounds) and Josh Hart (17 points and 10 rebounds coming off the bench) were also very important for some huge Knicks in the fight under the basket with 17 attacking rebounds.
The Spanish Ricky Rubio played 5 minutes with the Cavaliers in which he added 2 rebounds and a steal.
Game 2 of this Eastern Conference first-round series will also be played in Cleveland on Tuesday.