Back and forth between the Knicks and Cavs. -Strus on McBride so he screens for Brunson and the Cavs switch -Now Clarkson screens to get Mitchell involved, another switch -Cavs go switch and double -Brunson gets it back and attacks right away, lob to Robinson

Multiple efforts from the Knicks defense here. Brunson sees Harden's cut and takes the switch. KAT in a drop in P&R but OG is right there to take the roll and recover to Mobley. OG sticks with the roll, Brunson gets back in front of Harden. Help is there in the paint.

Cleveland trying to poke at the Knicks pick and roll defense, the Knicks have been active. Mobley screens for Harden, KAT above the 3PT line. Mobley able to roll but watch the help in the paint. Sink on the big/big pass, defense to offense.

Cavs have Allen on Hart so the Knicks use Hart as a screener for Jalen Brunson. Allen near the level but sticks with Hart's roll. Knicks have both wings clear and Brunson attacks 1v1.

Knicks shooting 51% in the first half and lead despite Jalen Brunson shooting 1 for 6. KAT's drives have been key, Hart's been aggressive, Bridges/OG have been very timely. Defense has to stay consistent as they try to keep the offensive flow up.

Cleveland continues to hang around. Don't have as many automatics on offense as in Game 1. Shooting 17 for 46 (36%) but what stands out is 17 made field goals, 9 assists. How much of this is finding a bucket vs. poking at the Knicks defense and creating. Need the blend.

Cleveland with a pindown for Evan Mobley into P&R with Donovan Mitchell. Idea to get KAT on the move before the screen. Good job from Mobley to flip the angle late. Gets two on the ball, you see why the Knicks have tried to avoid it. Mobley rolls, defense helps, Allen scores.

Knicks flow into Mikal Bridges screening for Jalen Brunson. Puts Mitchell in action, Cleveland switches. Notice the early help from Jarrett Allen off Josh Hart who is spaced on the wing. Drive and kick and Hart knocks it down. Timely threes are important.

Cleveland looking to use James Harden to attack matchups, use Merrill as a screener to get Brunson in action -Knicks switch, left wing open, Merrill on right wing, Robinson helps on drive -Knicks switch, left wing open, Harden looks to attack right. Defense stays at home

Also about switching, Knicks have just been giving the Brunson switch vs. Harden. Allows everyone else to stay at home, if you contain now the Cavs have to swing it vs. a set defense and try to find an advantage elsewhere.

Big thing has been the Knicks being ok with drop more times than not. Taking away 2 on the ball, being able to help on the roll when needed but stay home. Cleveland hasn't been able to consistently find the blend offensively

Knicks go with a double drag, KAT/Robinson as screeners into a pindown for KAT. Schroder slides under, Cavs handle the action. Flows into P&R and notice the Cavs adjust to not switch with how KAT had been driving. Opens him up as a roller but Mobley is waiting to help.

The drives from Karl-Anthony Towns have been key for New York early in this one. Cleveland hasn't been afraid to switch or change the matchup. Has Strus here and looks to go 1v1. Good job from Alvarado to clear the wing and Hart to slide to the right block.

Cleveland goes with Dean Wade/James Harden two man game to get Jalen Brunson in action. Earlier Brunson went show and recover, this time he switches. Harden goes right to work to get to his stepback.

Good activity from Cleveland on defense but the nuance stands out to me. Mixing things up. -KAT screens for Hart, Allen slides under -Anunoby DHO to Bridges, Mitchell fights over -KAT/Brunson P&R is a switch with Mobley -Bridges/Brunson P&R is a switch with Mitchell

If you're wondering why teams give the automatic switch at times, it's to avoid a 2 on the ball scenario in guard/guard scenarios. Wade screens for Harden to get Brunson in action. He's in a show and recover, Bridges holds but Wade rolls. Defense helps, Mobley open for 3.

Messages sent on both sides to start the game. Knicks have OG Anunoby with a DHO to Jalen Brunson to get Harden in action. Cavs give the switch and Brunson goes to work. Hart in the dunker spot, Brunson gets to the floater before Allen is there.

I'll say quickly the Liberty's seafoam vs. the Valkyries violet is an elite jersey matchup.

Super intrigued by how this Knicks/Cavs Game 2 starts. Cleveland found and did a whole lot of good things in G1. They can lean on that and bounce back. The issue is the Knicks can adjust to and make it a different game. Conference Finals is a sprint.

I am intrigued by when/how much Cleveland switches in G2. Had it's purpose to try and ding off ball movement, help was strong when Hart was on the court. Knicks worked to clear wings for Brunson (and KAT when he had Mitchell).

I've liked how the Chicago Sky have worked to get the ball side to side in the half court. If it's not there, get off it, get to the next action. Nice work from Kamilla Cardoso in the post to seal in space. Skylar Diggins gets it right to her.

Isaiah Hartenstein has done exactly what he's been asked to do and it's been big for OKC.

What a sequence of basketball -Spurs have Wemby/Champagnie screen for Castle in the backcourt, his drive opens a 3 for Vassell -Spurs double SGA which opens Hartenstein's roll but Wemby erases that lob -That leads to a 3 from Castle in transition

Every time the Spurs have had a response the Thunder have had an answer. Huge minutes from McCain. Daigneault empowering this group and never being afraid to expand his rotation in the playoffs has value.

Cause and effect for OKC and the impact of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander -Looks to attack Bryant, Spurs showing early help, Shai gets to his shot and scores -Spurs decide to double, Shai attacks right before it hits. Help comes, kick to Chet Holmgren who drives and finishes.

The more OKC gets stops the more they can run and flow without having to face Wemby in the half court. Spurs haven't been able to establish Wemby or the guards for the majority of this half. Defense will keep them around but intrigued with an uphill battle. Shai's got it going

A reminder half from OKC. 23 made field goals, 16 assists, have 10 steals. Helps when Shai is making shots but a lot more decisive with their drives vs. SA's rotations. Spurs have 17 made field goals and 13 turnovers. Castle's turned it over but kept them afloat.

STEPHON CASTLE EXCUSE ME

OKC has Hartenstein go with high P&R for Jalen Williams. It's a tiny adjustment but a solid one from OKC and Hartenstein. Wemby stays in a drop, notice Williams wait for the defense to recover. Hartenstein doesn't go Gortat instead gets another piece of Harper, pullup there.

The battle of drives between the Spurs and OKC is something to keep an eye on. OKC has felt more decisive early to drive Spurs closeouts. OKC has the personnel to bother Spurs guards but Spurs are getting to them in help/recover scenarios.

OKC adjusts to put Hartenstein on Wembanyama to start the game. Carry over from Game 1 from OKC, trying to do what they can to not show when Wemby screens. Spurs try to get back to double P&R. Hartenstein is working to push him and OKC navigating around it.

Fun watching the Portland Fire offense continue to build and flow. -Dive from the wing, Bridget Carleton fakes a screen and flies off a flare at the top. Fever able to switch and recover. -Cut from the right wing opens up space, could be P&R but Carleton attacks 1v1

First play of the game from the Fever for Aliyah Boston. Sets a pindown for Billings who goes high P&R for Harris. Play is for Boston to seal which she does right away. Mitchell spaced in right corner. Notice the slip into a pindown for Hull on the left side.

Latest from The Dunker Spot @nekiasnba.bsky.social and I going back and forth on the hot start from the Las Vegas Aces. The Wings defense showed up and I try to convince Nekias the Mystics kool aid is fine. youtu.be/kqvMIQZm2Jw?...

NEW Don't ignore what Dylan Harper is doing for the San Antonio Spurs in these playoffs. sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...

New Dunker Spot!!! @nekiasnba.bsky.social and I breaking down the classic Game 1 between the San Antonio Spurs and OKC Thunder. We also take a peek at Cavs/Knicks! www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmoF...

Hartenstein played the first 2:36, keeping an eye on what lineups the Thunder want to throw out there. Have always raised the "can you poke at the bigs button" the answer has been no. Curious if Wemby/Spurs defense get them to stick with small.

The fascinating part of Thunder/Spurs is that OKC has been so automatic and decisive offensively this season. Most things you throw at them to bog them down they read. It's hard to move Wemby around the board and it puts a slight hitch into what they do at times.

Yeah, the Sky are just connected on defense. Real tough to find gaps.

The Chicago Sky get after it on defense.

Little thing from Brittney Sykes. Set up to run pick and roll, tells Rice to cut to clear the right wing. Immediately sets up to reject and drive into that space. That also turns the low help from Nneka to Plum.

Cleveland with 22 made field goals, 18 assists in the first half. 52.4% from the field, 8 made threes. Detroit you got 24 minutes for your defense to do something. If you go out, go out swinging on that end.

Big shot from Gabriela Jaquez

Well there goes Caitlin Clark

WELL CHELSEA GRAY GOT IT DONE ON BOTH ENDS

Well that is indeed what Chelsea Gray does

Well this was a big offensive rebound and kick from Angel Reese. Te-Hina Paopao just has not stopped today.

Tough bucket from A'ja Wilson here, sheesh

Obviously a great comeback from the Atlanta Dream but it stamps their start to a degree. This year hasn't just been about their offense, they've worked to defend and win different types of games. Important step.

This isn't a perfect world Aces team but they have shown a comfort in working to win in different ways. Feeling the continuity in their ability to problem solve. In command of this game and Jackie Young just has not scored.