Cavs vs Knicks Game 3 instant reactions. Cavaliers in danger of sweep

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CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers entered Game 3 in a strangely familiar position while down 0-2 in a series and needing to rebound at Rocket Arena.

The Cavs dropped both Games 1 and 2 in New York, as the Knicks pulled off a wild comeback in Game 1 and then controlled most of Game 2 en route to a 2-0 series lead.

In Game 3, the Knicks never trailed en route to a 121-108 win to take a commanding 3-0 series lead. The Cavs will have to win four games in a row to save their playoff lives.

Cavs playoffs: How Game 3 between Cavaliers and Knicks unfolded

Here are instant reactions and analysis from Beacon Journal writers Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich:

Cavs vs Knicks Game 3: Ryan Lewis' instant reaction​

• On paper, the Cavs have the firepower necessary to keep up with the Knicks — but they need all of it running on all cylinders. Free throw shooting has become a major issue for Cleveland. It was noted by Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson pregame, but the issue followed them into Game 3 and played a major role in holding them at bay as the Knicks never trailed.
• In addition to that, the Cavs' bench has really struggled the last two games, and it's allowed to the Knicks to stay in full control. At one point, Max Strus was just 3-for-11 from the floor and Sam Merrill had only attempted four shots deep into the fourth quarter. Those two are both key contributors that the Cavs need to supplement the scoring from the starting lineup.
• The Knicks have now beaten the Cavs three times, and they've done it in three different ways. In Game 1, it was Jalen Brunson. In Game 2, it was Josh Hart, as the Cavs tried to force the ball out of Brunson's hands. In Game 3, it was a much more balanced attack, as New York attacked from all angles, and the Cavs' defense couldn't find the spacing to stop it.
• Donovan Mitchell, again, wasn't going downhill as much as he was in the Pistons series, and that was had a Domino effect on the Cavs' offense. He keeps saying he's fine, and Kenny Atkinson keeps saying it's normal bumps and bruises, but there has been a definite change in how he has attacked the rim in this series.

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Cavs vs Knicks Game 3: Nate Ulrich's instant reaction​

• The Cavs entered Game 3 with a free-throw percentage of 73.9 in the playoffs, ranking 12th among the NBA's 16 postseason qualifiers. In the 2025-26 regular season, the Cavs finished tied for 17th among the NBA's 30 teams with a free-throw percentage of 77.6.
• During media availability roughly two hours before Game 3 tipped off, Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson was asked whether his team's foul shooting concerned him.
• "Just hoping it doesn't come to bite us," Atkinson said. "But I look at it as like, are we getting to the line? That's what we control. I don't have a joystick out there trying to get the ball in the hoop. I'm like, ‘Man, get to the rim. That'll help us get to the line more.’ That's kind of all we control. So we just continue that process. I don't harp on it, talk about it. Get to the line is the key. Get to the line more than them."
• Well, the Cavs neither got to the line nor shot as well from there as the Knicks in Game 3.
• The Cavs finished 12-of-19 shooting (63%) on foul shots. The Knicks went 24-of-29 shooting (89%) from the free-throw line.
• It was just one of many ways in which the Cavs were outplayed with their season on the line.

Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich cover the Cavaliers for the Akron Beacon Journal. The Beacon Journal sports department can be reached at [email protected]

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavs instant reactions to Game 3 loss leaving Knicks poised for sweep

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