The New York Knicks are one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference. They’re just not the Boston Celtics or Cleveland Cavaliers.
Loss to Cavaliers proves Knicks are not a top team in East

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) talks to New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the second half at Rocket Arena. Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

In their home game against the Knicks on Wednesday night, the Cavaliers erased a 15-point, second-quarter deficit and won 124-105. Per ESPN, New York is now 0-6 against Cleveland and Boston, the top teams in the Eastern Conference.

Knicks star guard Jalen Brunson was out with an ankle sprain, which has sidelined him since March 6. He has told the media he aims to return before the playoffs start on April 19.

In 61 games this season, Brunson has averaged 26.3 points per game, three rebounds per game and 7.4 assists per game. He has also shot 49% from the field.

Even if Brunson were in the Knicks lineup, it’s easy to argue Cleveland and Boston are still better teams.

On Wednesday, the Cavaliers had 38 points from their bench, while the Knicks had 23.

Cavaliers rally past Knicks for 61st win - Sportsnet.ca

New York (48-28) also trails the Cavaliers (61-15) by 13 games.

Boston (56-20) seems to be catching fire. Over their last 10 games, the Celtics are 9-1. Plus, they’re battle-tested. The defending NBA champions have made it to the Eastern Conference Finals four times over the past five seasons.

New York hasn’t made it to the Eastern Conference Finals since the 1999-00 season. Over the past two seasons, the Knicks have been eliminated in the conference semifinals.

This offseason, the Knicks acquired small forward Mikal Bridges and center Karl-Anthony Towns. Both have looked solid. Towns had averaged 24.3 PPG in his first 67 games, while Bridges had averaged 17.9 in his first 75.

Still, the blockbuster trades may not have provided the firepower needed to compete with the Cavaliers and Celtics.

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