Sweep! Mitchell Drops 31 Points in Vain, Harden Goes 2-for-8; Knicks Have Six in Double Figures, Beat Cavaliers 4-0 to Reach Finals

On May 26, Beijing time, in Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks routed the Cavaliers 130-93 on the road, completing a 4-0 series sweep and earning a trip to the Finals—their first appearance in 27 years.

In the opening period, Mitchell sank two straight three-pointers, helping the Cavaliers jump out to an 8-2 start. Hart connected from deep, while Bridges and Brunson repeatedly attacked the rim. Towns also hit from long range, lifting the Knicks to a 14-13 lead. The two sides then traded baskets, with Cleveland holding a narrow 17-16 advantage. Towns continued to fire from outside, Brunson and Anunoby drove relentlessly, McBride knocked down a three, Robinson threw down an alley-oop dunk, and Shamet and Brunson added more triples. The Knicks thrived on both ends, closing the quarter with a 38-26 lead.

In the second quarter, Alvarado scored on a cut, McBride and Shamet each drained a three, Towns threw down a dunk, and the Knicks exploded on a 20-0 run spanning the first and second quarters, taking a commanding 50-26 lead. Anunoby showed his shooting touch with five straight points, Shamet added another three, and the Knicks pushed the margin to 61-32. Harden hit a jumper, Mitchell connected from deep, and the Cavaliers trimmed the deficit slightly. At halftime, the Knicks led 68-49.

In the third quarter, Hart scored inside, Towns and Bridges each hit a three, Towns continued to dominate the paint, Bridges threw down a dunk and then knocked down a corner three, and Shamet drove to the basket for another dunk, extending the Knicks' lead to 89-59—a 30-point margin. The Knicks easily maintained their advantage throughout the period, heading into the fourth quarter up 98-71.

In the final quarter, Towns powered through the paint for a score, McBride hit a three, Anunoby and McBride both chipped in with points, and Clarkson and Korver each drilled a three, pushing the Knicks' lead to 120-78. The rest of the game was without drama, as the Knicks comfortably preserved their margin and cruised to victory.

Starting Lineups

Cavaliers: Strus, Mobley, Allen, Mitchell, Harden

Knicks: Hart, Anunoby, Towns, Bridges, Brunson