The New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers will be squaring off tonight as both sides look to finish the regular season on a high note. With the playoffs starting next week, both sides are looking to enter the postseason clicking on all cylinders.
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Cleveland has their playoff positioning all wrapped up as they have clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. This means they will have home-court advantage throughout the East playoffs this season.
But for the Knicks, where they land in the standings remains up in the air. New York can either end the year as the No. 3 or No. 4 seed, depending on how things shake out over the final few games.
If the Knicks were to drop the remainder of their games while the Indiana Pacers win out, they would fall to the No. 4 seed. But all New York has to do is win one more game or have Indiana lose a game, and the No. 3 seed is theirs.
The difference is either playing the Milwaukee Bucks or the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the postseason. New York would be favored in each series, but Detroit may offer a more favorable matchup for the Knicks.
Heading into this game against the Cavaliers, New York could be down a few players, however. Star guard Jalen Brunson and star center Karl-Anthony Towns were listed on the injury report.
Brunson has been dealing with ongoing recovery from an ankle issue. The star guard was listed as questionable and will play in this game.
Jalen Brunson (injury recovery) available to play Friday.
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) April 11, 2025
As for Towns, he has been dealing with a left knee problem. The big man was also listed as questionable entering the game and will miss this contest.
Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) ruled out Friday.
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) April 11, 2025
All in all, this game against the Cavaliers could play a big role in where New York ends up. Cleveland seems to be resting some starters, potentially giving the Knicks an advantage heading into the game.
After the game with the Cavaliers, New York will take on the Brooklyn Nets to close out the season. If they take down Cleveland, the Knicks could elect to fully rest starters for the playoffs next week.
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