New York Knicks target James Harden in stunning 22-point playoff comeback
The New York Knicks completed a staggering 22-point fourth-quarter comeback against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday by relentlessly targeting James Harden.
The strategy deployed by head coach Mike Brown was unapologetically simple but highly effective.
His side ruthlessly exposed the defensive vulnerabilities of the former MVP to steal the opening victory.
Jalen Brunson capitalised on the resulting mismatches to score heavily during the closing stages.
“It was no secret. We were attacking Harden.”
– Mike Brown
Record-breaking defensive pressure
The tactical shift did not fully materialise until the crucial final period.
Facing a massive deficit, the Knicks used the player guarded by the veteran guard to set a screen 16 times in the fourth quarter alone.
This represents the highest number of screens any guard has defended in a single playoff quarter since tracking data began in 2013.
Overall, the future Hall of Famer faced 27 picks throughout the match.
Brunson dominates the mismatch
Down the stretch, New York forced 10 consecutive possessions where their star point guard was switched onto the Cleveland defender.
Despite failing to convert on the first two attempts, the visitors quickly found their rhythm with devastating precision.
Brunson scored 13 points during an 18-point surge across the next eight possessions.
The agile playmaker utilised floaters, pull-up jumpers and step-back three-pointers to dismantle the opposition defence.
The Cavaliers now face a significant tactical dilemma to adjust their defensive principles heading into Game 2.