PREVIEW: The fourth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers face the third-seeded New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals , marking a matchup between two franchises hungry for a championship run. The Knicks enter with nine days of rest after sweeping Philadelphia on May 10, while the Cavaliers had just one full day off following their Game 7 victory over Detroit on Sunday. Cleveland's offensive identity features efficient attacking at the rim and high three-point volume at 44.4 percent attempts, while New York counters with elite perimeter defense that forces low-quality three-pointers and defends the paint effectively. These teams represent the Eastern Conference Finals matchup many anticipated before the playoffs began, and both have finally arrived at their destination after taking divergent paths through the bracket. The Knicks have dominated their opponents with seven of eight playoff wins coming by double-figures, including four victories by 29 points or more , showcasing a precision offense that has been nearly unstoppable. The Cavaliers have endured a much grittier journey, requiring seven games to dispatch both the Toronto Raptors and the top-seeded Detroit Pistons. New York's defensive approach centers on limiting three-point quality and controlling attacking opportunities at the basket, ranking fourth in both categories defensively , which could prove problematic for a Cleveland team built on spacing and efficient paint scoring. The regular season offered a preview of this matchup, with the Knicks winning two of three meetings, though Cleveland captured the final showdown after acquiring James Harden , setting the stage for a compelling Eastern Conference Finals battle.