Ahead of Saturday’s pivotal Eastern Conference Finals Game 3 between the Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers, stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges said team’s mindset is to continue “playing desperate” despite their 2-0 lead in the series.
“We got to execute at a high level, have that desperation that we had in Philly and Atlanta,” Towns said. “We just got to, obviously, shoot the ball well.”
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“We just got to keep playing desperate,” Bridges added. “I know it’s easier for the team that’s down 0-2 to play more desperate, but that can’t be us. Keep doing what we’ve been doing. All playoffs, just staying desperate no matter what the situation is. To us, it’s 0-0.”
While New York has won the first two games of the Conference Finals by a combined margin of 27 points, the contests have been closer than meets the eye. The Knicks trailed by 22 points in the fourth quarter of Game 1 before Jalen Brunson went on a scoring tear to force OT and steal the win, and they were down again after the first quarter of Game 2, but dominated the second and third quarters to earn the 16-point victory.
One of the keys to the Knicks’ first-round and semifinal series wins over the Hawks and 76ers was Towns quarterbacking the offense. After going down 2-1 in the first-round matchup against Atlanta, Towns averaged 8.6 assists and posted two triple-doubles over the final three games. His assist numbers continued to guide the team against the Sixers, averaging 7.5 assists per night in the four-game sweep.
With Cleveland having a bit more size to match up better defensively against Towns, New York’s style of play has changed. Brunson is back in charge of the offense, dishing out six assists in Games 1 and another 14 dimes in Game 2. Luckily that change in playing style does not bother Towns, as the former No. 1 overall pick made it clear he’ll do “whatever it takes” to help New York win.
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“I’ve always said I’m willing to sacrifice and do whatever it takes to impact winning and help this team win,” Towns said. “That’s the blessing of our group. We have multiple ways and systems that we can utilize to help us get the win. And I’ve been happy because we continue to win, so there’s nothing to be sad about.”
Towns was asked if he thinks that lack of selfishness helps makes the Knicks’ offense more dangerous, saying it shows the team’s character and allows for them to be great.
“I think that the guys in the locker room, the characters, they speak so highly on the court and off the court, is what makes us special,” Towns said.
For New York to continue its pursuit of reaching the NBA Finals, Towns said the team needs to keep trusting each other and displaying their “cohesiveness.”
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“At the end of the day, regardless if we’re home or away, it’s about us executing and being disciplined in our gameplan. So that’s the most important thing,” Towns said.
Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals tips off at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday night at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.
