New York’s dramatic Game 1 comeback was built on a simple but effective offensive principle: find the matchup it wanted and attack it repeatedly.
A major part of that approach centered on James Harden, who became the focal point of New York’s half-court offense after switches. By forcing Harden into defensive actions and then attacking him directly, New York was able to generate the kind of offensive rhythm that powered its turnaround.
A targeted Game 1 strategy
The tactic stood out not only because of its effectiveness, but because of how consistently New York leaned into it. In a playoff setting where matchups often define possessions, New York’s ability to identify and exploit a defensive weak point helped swing the game’s momentum.
That offensive emphasis gave New York one of the clearest themes from Game 1: when the game tightened, the preferred option was often whoever had drawn Harden in a switch.
Game 2 adjustment becomes the focus
The attention now shifts to how Cleveland can respond in Game 2. After allowing New York to create advantages through repeated matchup hunting, Cleveland faces the task of limiting those switches, providing earlier help, or changing the way it handles screening actions.
New York’s comeback showed how quickly a playoff game can turn when one team finds a repeatable advantage. For Cleveland, addressing that pattern will be central to keeping Game 2 from following the same script.