Knicks' Mike Brown has used Mitchell Robinson, twice, to make Cavaliers look dumb

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Knicks' Mike Brown has used Mitchell Robinson, twice, to make Cavaliers look dumb originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Once upon a time, Mike Brown was head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

These days, though, he's leading the New York Knicks and making the Cavs look dumb.

Specifically, he's using Mitchell Robinson as bait to lure the Cavaliers into a silly mistake.

Cleveland wants to enter into a 'Hack-a-Mitch' strategy that sends Robinson to the foul line, where he shoots less than 40% in his playoff career. So when Robinson is in the game and the Cavs are near putting the Knicks in the bonus, they'll intentionally foul to set up an ensuing intentional foul on Robinson to get him to the line.

One problem: Now twice in this series, when the Cavs have intentionally fouled to get to the bonus, Brown has immediately taken Robinson out.

That leaves the rest of his team in the bonus, going to the line on any foul, but doesn't risk the bad Robinson free throws going to the line.

It's brilliant, rather simple, and proof that Brown is coaching circles around Cleveland in this series.

Mike Brown using Mitchell Robinson as bait for the Cavs to put themselves in the bonus has been a pretty fun game within the game moment. Brown put Robinson in to get fouled, Cavs go into bonus and Brown immediately removes him. Second time he's done it this series.

— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) May 24, 2026

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On the other half of the sideline, Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson can't figure out how to get James Harden out of bad defensive matchups or that Jaylon Tyson is one of his most talented players and should probably get in the game every now and then.

The Knicks are up 3-0 in the series, and that's evidence of so many things, but it is strong validation for Brown.

He had lots of success in Cleveland, but leading the Knicks to their first NBA Finals in a long time will be quite the story.

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