New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (R) goes after the ball after Clevland Cavaliers guard James Harden (C) lost it during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals Tuesday in New York. Photo by Sarah Yenesel/EPA
May 20 (UPI) -- Coach Mike Brown said exploiting James Harden's defense was key in the New York Knicks' record comeback victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.
"It was no secret we were attacking Harden," Brown told reporters Tuesday in New York.
The Knicks, who trailed by 22 points in the fourth quarter, outscored the Cavaliers 32-18 in the frame to force overtime. They held a 14-3 edge in the bonus period to earn the 115-104 triumph at Madison Square Garden. With the victory, the Knicks clinched the largest comeback playoff win in franchise history.
The epic comeback was the second largest fourth-quarter rally in the history of the NBA playoffs, trailing only the 2012 Los Angeles Clippers' 24-point comeback win over the Memphis Grizzlies in 2012.
