Knicks fans, it's time to party like its' 1999.
For the first time in 27 years, the New York Knickerbockers are heading to the NBA Finals, completing a sweep of the Cavaliers capped off by a 130-93 victory in Monday night's game four. In what has become one of the more dominant playoff runs in league history, the Knicks once again won by double digits, and once again clinched a series with an all-time blowout on the road.
The Knicks' playoff win streak sits at 11 games, with their game three loss to the Hawks feeling like it was decades ago. Since that one-point defeat, New York has found a new gear it had not shown all year under first-year head coach Mike Brown. Everyone is getting a piece of the action, from Eastern Conference Finals MVP Jalen Brunson to Landry Shamet, who shot a ridiculous 12-13 from downtown in the four-game sweep.
The Knicks will now have nine days off before game one of The Finals, which tips off on June 3. They await the winner of the Thunder and Spurs, who are currently deadlocked at two games apiece with a pivotal game five coming on Tuesday night.
Aside from New York's historic fourth-quarter comeback in game one of the ECF, its drought-ending run to a conference championship has been shockingly lacking in suspense. The team's point differential of 262 across its 11-game winning streak is the most by any team in an 11-game span in league history, including the regular season.
Knicks fans responded in kind, celebrating throughout the entire fourth quarter when the game, and the series, was well in hand. Fans who invaded Rocket Arena in Cleveland chanted "Knicks in Four," the fanbase once again invading an opposing arena during their team's relentless march to The Finals. The watch party at Radio City Music Hall went ballistic and took the party out to the streets of New York City, and the celebrating will continue for the next week-plus, while the team once again gets an extended run of rest before the next series.
New York is now four wins away from its first championship since 1973.
New York obliterated its opponent in a closeout game on the road for a third straight series.
New York obliterated its opponent in a closeout game on the road for a third straight series.
