Knicks blow out Cavs in Game 4 to complete sweep

CLEVELAND — Many thought the Cavaliers would win Game 4 because of pride. However, that was anything but the case. The York Knicks dominated Cleveland on Monday, 130-93, at Rocket Arena. New York won its 11th playoff game in a row and swept the Cavs 4-0 to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. The Knicks erased all doubt as to who the best team was in the series, but many believed Cleveland would put up more of a fight. The Cavs blamed their two rugged series in the first two rounds for taking the starch out of their team. "We lost two Game 6s," Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said. "You have to take advantage of those opportunities. It would have given us a better chance." Of course, it had nothing to do with the Knicks totally outplaying the Cavs in almost every facet of the game. In the debacle Monday, New York led by 45 points in the second half. "They pretty much dominated (the series)," Atkinson said. "They had a big advantage." Cleveland's coach said he still believes the season to be a "success." "We got over that second-round hump," he said. "We're disappointed. I'm pretty darn proud of what we did. I have a lot of good feelings." It was the Cavs' ninth appearance in the Eastern Conference finals, and one of their most embarrassing. "We accomplished a lot," Cleveland point guard James Harden said. "Now, there's another level to get to. It's a little frustrating. We have some work to do. "We have a very, very talented group. We can be even better next year. Being the fourth seed was tough." Harden finished with just 12 points and two assists and turned the ball over five times. In the four-game series with New York, he turned the ball over 17 times. "I did pretty good (this year) fitting into a system that was already in place," Harden said. "I worked extremely hard." The 36-year-old guard said he showed up to the gym at 8:30 a.m. Monday to get up a lot of shots. "Then, I couldn't make a three (he was 0-for-6 from long distance)," Harden said. He said he still believes the Cavs were the better team in the series, but they just didn't make shots. Cleveland shot just .416 from the field in Game 4 and .275 from behind the arc. "I don't remember a quarter where we made shots (in the series)," Harden said. "We had unlimited open shots and didn't make them." Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell, named second-team All-NBA on Sunday, led all scorers with 31 points and four rebounds. "He's our leader," Atkinson said. "I knew he'd come out aggressively. This was another step for him and the Cavs. He's the No. 1 reason we went to the conference finals." Mitchell, who shot 9-for-18 from the field and 5-for-9 from long distance, said the Knicks have taken a similar path as Cleveland. New York lost to the Indiana Pacers in the conference finals last season. "I'm grateful to get over that obstacle," Mitchell said of getting to the conference finals for the first time in his career. "Sorry, city of Cleveland, for the sweep. We'll be back, locked in and ready." Cavs power forward Evan Mobley added 15 points and seven rebounds and was one of only three players to reach double figures for Cleveland. Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson was practically unstoppable in the series, which was almost expected. He's had his way with the Cavs since signing with New York. Brunson finished with 15 points and six assists. However, several other Knicks players performed at high levels, including guard Mikal Bridges, center Karl-Anthony Towns, forward OG Anunoby and bench player Larry Shamet, among others. Towns had a strong game for New York with 19 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks, while Anunoby added 17 points and Shamet 16 off the bench. Bob Finnan can be reached at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.