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00:02You're watching a special presentation of the NBA on Prime.
00:11I am the noise.
00:14Big time shot.
00:17So how will you respond to me?
00:20A circus shot for CJ.
00:23Slap it down.
00:24You gotta play better with the lead.
00:26We got a lot on the line.
00:27Just basketball is exactly how it's supposed to be.
00:30Do you shrink?
00:32Or rise up?
00:34Get out of the way!
00:35Knicks, Hawks, Game 3.
00:39Make some noise.
00:45We welcome you to the NBA playoffs presented by Google.
00:50With first round coverage presented by Lilly.
00:54We're at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
00:57First round action.
00:58The New York Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks tied at one game of these.
01:03Countdown to tip-off continues.
01:04We are moments away from Game 3.
01:07Let's check out the starting lineups.
01:08First for the Hawks.
01:10They are coming off the 107-106 win at the Garden on Monday night.
01:14Dyson Daniels, Nikhil Alexander-Walker, CJ McCollum, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okungwu for Atlanta.
01:24The Knicks counter with Bridges, Hart, Brunson, Towns, and Ananobi.
01:31Atlanta grabbed the home court advantage with that win in Game 2.
01:36Mike Brown did not like what he saw in the second half protecting the paint.
01:41Knows that has to change.
01:43And there could be some adjustments in some of the cross matchups as well.
01:47Quinn Snyder and this squad, they just were a different team post-All-Star break and they've carried it over
01:55here into the postseason.
01:56Yeah, once they got CJ McCollum permanently into the starting lineup, this was the best team in the Eastern Conference.
02:03McCollum has shown his value in the first two games of this series.
02:07In a 1-1 series, the Game 3 winner goes on to win it 74% of the time in
02:14the best of sevens.
02:20Atlanta, this season, got really hot on the road late.
02:25In fact, so hot that they won 14 of 15 games at the end of the season here at State
02:32Farm Arena.
02:32The one loss came to New York.
02:35One of the best regular season games all year on April 6th.
02:38Three-point win for New York, but just a high-level basketball game that has led into this series.
02:46Mark Davis, Nick Booker, and Natalie Sago making her NBA playoff debut as an official.
02:53We are underway with this series tied in a game apiece.
02:56The Knicks control the tech.
02:58Knocked away.
02:59Hart tries to get it back.
03:00Johnson couldn't gather.
03:02And last touch out of bounds off of Atlanta.
03:04So the Knicks will retain it with 11 to shoot.
03:09Well, and just great effort there by Josh Hart to maintain the possession for the Knicks.
03:16Hart has been the leading rebounder for the Knicks in each of the first two games.
03:20That ball got knocked out of there by McCollum.
03:24Trigger man.
03:25It's Brunson.
03:26Get it in for Hart.
03:27Eight seconds to work with.
03:29One-on-one with McCollum.
03:31Hart.
03:31And McCollum gets a piece.
03:35Daniels leading the break.
03:37Johnson.
03:39Forced to kick it out.
03:40Daniels.
03:41Got a body bump.
03:42Spins.
03:42Couldn't finish at the rim.
03:44And Hart with the board.
03:46Well, you've said that a lot in this series if you've been watching.
03:49That's his 28th rebound of the series already.
03:53Towns misses from three-point territory.
03:57Atlanta came all the way back from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to win game two.
04:03Johnson wheeling.
04:04Hangs.
04:05Off the rim.
04:06And Hart's got another rebound.
04:08I'll tell you what.
04:09He has been all over the boards.
04:11Brunson takes it at Daniels and scores.
04:14Daniels took a shot.
04:15No reaction from the officials.
04:17The Knicks on the board first.
04:19Well, I'll tell you what.
04:20You want to be physical, and it's not just on defense.
04:23Jalen Brunson, a strong guy, wants to use his strength on the offensive end.
04:28And trying to really get in to C.J. McCollum right now.
04:33Johnson loses his footing.
04:35Knocked away by Hart.
04:36Shot clock is down to three.
04:38McCollum.
04:39The jab.
04:40The jumper.
04:41Splash.
04:42Well, he just feels great confidence against Jalen Brunson.
04:46Knows he can get the shot over the time.
04:49The Hawks have targeted Brunson.
04:51They've scored 44 of their points against him in the series so far, one-on-one.
04:57O.G. Ananobi.
04:58The corner jumpy has missed a quarter three.
05:01He sure is.
05:02He led the NBA in corner threes made this year.
05:06And when they can get that shot, that's good offense.
05:09And a 5-3 advantage for New York.
05:15Knicks score just 15 points in the fourth quarter of game two.
05:19That was their lowest mark all season in the fourth.
05:24Out front, Bridges dealing with Alexander Walker.
05:28Shot clock down to three.
05:30The spin.
05:32The left hand.
05:33It doesn't go off the iron.
05:35Well, Alexander Walker hasn't shot the ball well.
05:37And it's in my mind because he's taken a lot of those shots.
05:40Another one?
05:41No.
05:41And Ananobi missed it.
05:455-3 lead for the Knicks.
05:47Johnson's shovel.
05:48Daniels inside.
05:49And his foul.
05:51Late whistle.
05:52That's the feeling where if it goes in, there might not be a whistle.
05:56That's certainly what the fans think.
05:58Here's McCollum just getting a little bit of space and can go over the top on Brunson.
06:04And then Ananobi, we know, deadly in the corners.
06:08But the Knicks' confusion in transition, nobody picks up Daniels, who should have converted that, but now at the line.
06:17And the foul on Karl-Anthony Towns.
06:20Daniels shoots it at 61% at the free throw line.
06:26The way it's set up when you defend an Atlanta Hawks team with the skill level of Johnson and Alexander
06:33Walker and McCollum,
06:36somebody's going to be free to take shots.
06:38The Knicks are comfortable with Daniels taking shots.
06:40That's exactly right.
06:42Just like at the other end, Atlanta is going to be like most teams and be more comfortable with Josh
06:48Hart shooting the ball,
06:49even though he's had a great year shooting.
06:515-4 lead for the Knicks.
06:53Bridges.
06:54He got caught at no man's land.
06:56And Ananobi couldn't grab it initially.
06:58Hawks steps it at the free safety to take it back.
07:02Hart, spin, kick.
07:04Bridges fires.
07:06Too strong.
07:08Towns couldn't grab it.
07:09Johnson does.
07:13Knicks out-rebounded the Hawks by 11 boards in Game 2.
07:18The jumper off the rim from the side.
07:22As Alexander Walker continues to search for his range.
07:56He's 9-for-31 in the series now.
07:56He's not going to be behind the arc.
07:57He's not going to be as effective there.
07:59What are some of the adjustments that you're anticipating from these two coaches?
08:03Well, I think for the Knicks, offensively, they've got to get Towns involved earlier and more often.
08:10And I think defensively, they've got to find a way, as the game goes on, to protect Jalen Brunson a
08:16little bit.
08:16But for Atlanta, the main adjustment is they have to do a better job keeping the Knicks off the boards.
08:22And they've got to amp up that pressure where they can create turnovers and get out on the break.
08:27They had to put a plug in the right nostril of OG Ananobi.
08:31There was blood that they detected.
08:34So that's why play was stopped.
08:36Loose ball foul was called against Johnson.
08:42The Knicks are up by one, 8-18 mark of this opening quarter.
08:50Atlanta finish game two on a 15-6 run.
08:54Near turnover.
08:56And Hart hits the deck to come away with it.
08:59They're fighting for it, and he finds out Ananobi.
09:02Dries, and he lays it in.
09:04That is a tremendous individual play by Josh Hart.
09:08High effort.
09:09Well, Hart saved him a possession earlier in the game going to the floor.
09:13And here he makes multiple efforts to not only get him a possession, but to create a fast break opportunity.
09:21OG Ananobi finishes Knicks by three.
09:28We're in Atlanta.
09:30Let's check out Stan Van Gundy's clipboard for this game three.
09:34Is that you, Stan?
09:35Yeah, that is you.
09:36I hope so.
09:36I hope so.
09:37That is you.
09:37Yeah, I got hair in that one.
09:40Put it on the clipboard.
09:41Well, for the Knicks, you know, they've got to take care of the ball.
09:44Already a little sloppy today.
09:46They should dominate the glass.
09:47They did in game two.
09:49It's important.
09:50We want to see Cat get involved a little here earlier in the game.
09:54And then for the Hawks, they've got to, on the other hand, force turnovers, defend without fouling.
09:59And they got a gang rebound.
10:01And you can't give up like they did in game two.
10:03They gave up five offensive rebounds to Jordan Clarkson.
10:07Atlanta is one of five to open play.
10:11The Knicks are three of seven.
10:13Johnson defended by Hart.
10:14McCollum sets a screen.
10:16Timer down to seven.
10:19Daniels, ball fake on a jumper.
10:20Tries to take it inside.
10:22Dishes.
10:22Johnson turned.
10:24And two defenders are there.
10:26A foul is called with .6.
10:29Wow.
10:30That was great defensive possession by the Knicks.
10:35They've got him bottled up, but Hart just gets him on the arm then.
10:41Hart had the help from Carl Anthony Towns, but he gets called for the hack.
10:46Hart has done a terrific job in this series on Jalen Johnson.
10:50He's averaging 20 a game, but he's able to work for everything.
10:54And some of them have been in transition in the half court.
10:57He's struggled.
10:58Our upcoming National TV playoff schedule.
11:00Prime video tomorrow.
11:01We've got you covered with Boston and Philly.
11:03Lakers and Houston.
11:04San Antonio and Portland.
11:06Game threes across the board.
11:07Go to NBA.com or visit the NBA app for more info.
11:11Feel like this year, the first round has been more competitive than usual across the board.
11:17You have five of the eight series at 1-1.
11:23First time that's happened since 2014.
11:28Towns one-on-one against Okumbo.
11:30Kick it.
11:31Brunson.
11:33Little kick and pop for Ananobi.
11:35Misses on a three ball.
11:37There's not a lot of movement there.
11:39The ball stayed on one side of the floor for New York.
11:42It's got to move a little better.
11:43Johnson, those long strides to the rim, and it's out of bounds.
11:47The Hawks wanted a foul.
11:49I think he did get fouled.
11:52Interesting no call there.
11:56No, no, it might have been all ball.
11:59Yeah, Ananobi and Bridges there to greet him.
12:05And the Hawks maintain possession.
12:08McCollum gets it in for Alexander Walker.
12:12And that ball bounces off his foot.
12:14And Ananobi drives it and slaps it.
12:16Oh, gee, Ananobi attacking the hoop.
12:20He's got seven already.
12:22Two buckets coming in transition or scrambled opportunities.
12:29McCollum, he contorts his body, couldn't finish it.
12:33Brunson waiting for his teammates with three hunked defenders back.
12:37So now everybody gets on this end of the floor.
12:41Brunson lines it up.
12:42Can't hit the three.
12:44Long rebound to Johnson.
12:46Daniel Johnson wants to play, yeah.
12:48They want to be fast.
12:49The Euro didn't affect Townsend, but the Johnson three is good.
12:55That's the pace that Quinn Snyder would like the Hawks to play at.
13:00And we are tied at nine.
13:03Hawks won 24-17 at home this season.
13:06We mentioned how hot they were in the second half of the year.
13:09Ananobi will drive it.
13:11And it was affected.
13:13Block going to the rim.
13:17Johnson dumps it off.
13:18Daniels lays it in.
13:20Another transition bucket for Atlanta.
13:22Well, defense to offense is the Hawks winning formula against the Knicks.
13:29Brunson.
13:30Extra.
13:31Ananobi.
13:32The corner pop.
13:33No.
13:36McCollum quickly up the floor.
13:38Fakes out Brunson.
13:39The flyer goes.
13:41CJ McCollum is a shot maker.
13:46Seven-nothing run for the Hawks.
13:53First quarter action continues.
13:55Atlanta doing it from the outside and also doing it defensively.
14:00Okongwu with the rejection leading to the land.
14:10Back to the NBA playoffs presented by Google.
14:14CJ McCollum made it clear he's a nice guy with two kids and a wife.
14:19He is not your villain.
14:21But when I asked him if, as a competitor, he enjoys being at the center of all the noise
14:26and the center of attention, he said, look, it comes with the territory.
14:29And he told me, it's fun to compete at the highest level.
14:33It's fun to be recognized by people.
14:35And he sees the boos and hostility as a sign of respect.
14:37But he says, year 13, at this stage in his career, he's not chasing approval or trying to prove anything.
14:42He knows what he brings.
14:44And that has certainly shown true so far in this series.
14:47The Hawks have younger players still learning how to navigate playoff emotion.
14:50While McCollum has given them a steady veteran presence who knows how to enjoy the stage,
14:55block out the noise, and guys, keep the focus on winning.
14:58And, Cassidy, you think about his journey from Canton, Ohio, to Lehigh, to the NBA.
15:04He seemed to really enjoy himself in the fourth quarter the other night.
15:07It's Brunson misses from three-point territory.
15:10Hawks trying to add to their lead.
15:12Vincent is in along with Gay.
15:18No, now Gay will wait to check in.
15:21Okonwu stays in there.
15:26Deuce McBride for the Knicks and Robinson.
15:28The changes.
15:29Back in Johnson.
15:31Shot clock running down.
15:32He misses on the baseline delivery.
15:33And Robinson immediately grabs a board.
15:36And doesn't take him long.
15:40McBride has a Robinson scream.
15:42Thought about it.
15:46Swing for McBride with nine to shoot.
15:49Knicks are down by four.
15:51McBride, tough angle.
15:52Short tip in.
15:53Doesn't go for Robinson.
15:55And he touched it last.
15:56Out of bounds.
16:00Time right now for our live update.
16:02And it's presented by FanDuel.
16:07Points for it currently.
16:09Atlanta minus one and a half.
16:11The over-under is 2-0-5 and a half.
16:16OG Ananobi on the bench.
16:18He has already taken eight shots.
16:24Johnson misses on a three-ball.
16:26And Kaminga there for the board.
16:31Nice denial.
16:32But Bridges made contact with Kaminga.
16:37So that's the third team foul against Mike Brown's squad.
16:45The Knicks are down to 27% shooting.
16:49The Hawks are not much better.
16:51They're at 33%.
16:53But they've made a couple of threes and they've gotten to the line and to the rim.
16:57Another bucket for Jalen Johnson.
16:59Well, Hart was trailing and he just curled and went to the rim.
17:03And Gabe Vinson gets a piece of that and it bounces off of Hart out of bounds.
17:08Nothing is working right now for New York.
17:10It's a 9-0 run.
17:11Daniels to Kaminga.
17:14He floats it home.
17:17Well, that's off a dead ball.
17:19They just pushed it up the floor and attacked before New York got their defense set.
17:25Inexcusable for the Knicks.
17:27And an eight-point lead for the Hawks.
17:31And Natalie Sago pointed in the wrong direction.
17:34She corrects it.
17:35The Knicks will retain with 12 to shoot.
17:37But they have gone ice cold offensively.
17:46Well, only two guys have scored for New York.
17:49And one of them, OG Ananobi, is on the bench.
17:52Ananobi has seven of the Knicks' nine points.
17:55Brunson has the other two.
17:57And Brunson tacked on two more.
17:59As he gets inside for the bucket.
18:0317-11.
18:04Hawks.
18:06Three and a half to go here in the first.
18:08Vincent Hawks and hits.
18:1420-11.
18:16Atlanta.
18:20Half-court set here for the Knicks.
18:22Daniels gets the assignment on Brunson.
18:26Bridges trying to attack.
18:27Loses his footing.
18:29Turns it over.
18:30Fifth turnover for New York.
18:36Well, we spoke with Mike Brown prior to the game.
18:39Asked him, how will the team respond to a loss?
18:42He said, I don't sense any panic from these guys.
18:45They've been just going about their business.
18:47They don't seem tight at all.
18:51Right now, the Knicks are one of eight from three-point territory.
18:57And the five turnovers, as you mentioned, Stan.
19:00Kaminga, swing.
19:03Shot going down to 10.
19:05McBride there defensively against Kaminga.
19:08Okungu sets the screen.
19:09Kaminga, the drive.
19:11He put it over.
19:11Robinson for 10.
19:12That's a tough shot right there.
19:17And the lead has ballooned to 11 for the Hawks.
19:23Kaminga had 19 in game two and was in there finishing.
19:27And then Bride misses on a three ball.
19:29It's one and done for the Knicks.
19:32The offensive struggles in game two fourth quarter have transferred over to game three first quarter.
19:41It's an offensive foul called as Gabe Vincent set the screen.
19:50Jonathan Kaminga, you mentioned it, a fourth quarter performance.
19:54He played 35 minutes, so there was a trust there from Quinn Snyder
19:58that Kaminga had it rolling and made a couple of big plays defensively as well.
20:03Well, and look, they've done a great job with their roster.
20:09More than halfway through the season, the trades for McCollum and Kaminga have been huge for them.
20:15Brunson, too strong.
20:16Offensive board, Robinson.
20:19Jordan Clarkson in the game as well, and now Gaye is in there for the Hawks.
20:25Brunson one-on-one with Vincent.
20:26Takes it in for two.
20:28Well, Brunson against Vincent is a little easier.
20:32They've been playing with bigger guys with Daniels and Alexander Walker.
20:38When he has size, he's able to get over the top easy.
20:44Brunson's great in the paint.
20:45And McCollum got tripped.
20:47That's going to be the fourth team foul against New York.
20:50So the next one will lead to free throws for Atlanta.
20:54Did he get tripped, or did he trip on his own?
20:57Well, it's the question from the Knicks sideline.
21:00And it looks like the Knicks are going to challenge.
21:05Chris, no, it doesn't look like they were going to,
21:08but I think the word from behind the bench was,
21:11no, we've got a foot in there.
21:15Gaye looking to give it up.
21:17Couldn't get it to McCollum initially.
21:19Now it's Daniels with eight to shoot.
21:22McCollum.
21:24Back in, over McBride.
21:26He's got it.
21:28Well, and he gives the two small sign.
21:30I do think they have to, when they get a chance,
21:33get more size on C.J. McCollum.
21:36His confidence against Brunson and McBride
21:39is very, very high because he knows
21:42he can just raise up over the top.
21:44And Brunson draws the foul.
21:47First free throw attempts of the night
21:49as Kaminga and Robinson get into it.
21:53It was Daniels and Robinson who had an issue
21:58earlier in this series.
22:02And cooler heads prevail.
22:05Nothing extracurricular.
22:09Now, look, as you get deeper into a series,
22:12this is going to happen all the time.
22:14You're just up against the same guys all the time.
22:18And Mitchell Robinson really came in
22:20to do what he thought was protecting Jalen Brunson.
22:27And Brunson at the free throw line
22:29where he shoots it at 84%.
22:34Second leading first quarter scorer
22:36in the league this year
22:37behind Luka Doncic.
22:39He had 19 in the first quarter of game one
22:44and looking for his eighth year today.
22:48Knicks went 6-3 on the road
22:50in last year's playoff.
22:52So they got it done
22:53when the pressure was on.
23:00They're trying to reach the second round
23:02for the fourth straight year.
23:0824-15 Hawks.
23:13McCollum gives up his dribble,
23:15kicks it out.
23:16The jumper by Kay is good.
23:21Kay only a 31% three-point shooter on the year,
23:25but he shot that one with great confidence.
23:28And now the Hawks have their largest lead.
23:31Brunson gets it to go!
23:32Plus the harm!
23:39Shades of Dick Barnett
23:41on the jump shot for Brunson.
23:43Yeah, he bent those legs up.
23:45Yeah, absolutely.
23:47But look, just like McCollum
23:49has had great confidence
23:50when he has seen Brunson or McBride,
23:54Brunson, great confidence
23:56against C.J. McCollum.
23:59Clyde Frazier enjoying it.
24:01Clyde always stylish,
24:03the Hall of Famer.
24:09Brunson converts
24:10to cut it to 9.
24:12He's got 11 points.
24:15Again, only two Knicks have scored,
24:18Brunson and Adanobi.
24:25Kaminga, a rainbow triple.
24:29Well, Kaminga just has found a role here
24:33and is playing with great confidence.
24:36Atlanta is five of seven
24:38from three-point range.
24:39They force Brunson to give it up.
24:40He gets it back.
24:44Brunson missed it.
24:45Robinson tried to guide it.
24:46He does to Clarkson.
24:48Kick it, corner.
24:49And Adanobi got a three.
24:52So many of Mitchell Robinson's
24:55offensive rebounds
24:56or when he keeps the ball alive
24:59end up in Knicks threes.
25:03Hawks can hold for one.
25:0513 seconds left.
25:06Knicks do not have a foul to give.
25:10They blitz McCollum with two.
25:13Down to three seconds left.
25:15Kaminga.
25:16Oh, yeah!
25:18The three-ball rattles down.
25:22And Adanobi fires way off the mark.
25:27And the Hawks have a 12-point advantage
25:30at the end of one.
25:32They are shooting lights out
25:33from three-point territory.
25:35They are at 60% overall,
25:38six of eight from downtown.
25:39Yeah, Jonathan Kaminga hits two in a row right there.
25:46Second quarter action is coming up.
25:48You're watching first-round coverage on Prime,
25:51presented by Lilly.
26:00Ignition.
26:01Okay, where is Brunson?
26:02Do we get a switch?
26:03Okay, we just keep reading.
26:06Okay?
26:06Do I have a pick and rolls?
26:08They're a push pick.
26:09All right, just settle in.
26:11Make sense?
26:12The biggest thing is spacing.
26:13All right, spacing allows us
26:16to play the way we need to play
26:18to win the game.
26:20Well, so far, so good for Atlanta.
26:2233-21 lead as we start the second quarter.
26:25Kispert in.
26:26Slam down!
26:28Gay with a big follow!
26:30Well, the Atlanta bench so far
26:32has been outstanding.
26:34Kaminga already with 10 points.
26:36Gay's got five.
26:38Three from Vincent.
26:41They have over half the odds points.
26:43Shammott and Alvarado both in for New York.
26:46Towns tried to pass it out to Clarkson.
26:49Out of bounds.
26:51Towns on that one's got to come to a stop
26:54off at two feet and just go over the top
26:56of the keel Alexander Walker.
26:58Too unselfish right there.
27:02Alexander Walker, the swing.
27:04Gay again.
27:05No.
27:07And a change for New York.
27:09Start of the second quarter the other night,
27:11both Brunson and Towns were on the bench.
27:13Tonight, Towns in here with Ananobi
27:16and three guards off the bench for New York.
27:20Towns defended by Kispert.
27:22Towns makes his move.
27:24Big finish for Cat.
27:26Well, that's what Cat's got to do now,
27:28and the Knicks have to set him up to do that.
27:30They've got to ride Carl Anthony Towns with this group.
27:34Kaminga is fouled.
27:38Ojean Ananobi wants a challenge.
27:41He just looked towards the Knicks bench.
27:43Mike Brown checked with his assistants.
27:47And the reason why, because he fouled it.
27:54That's why there was no challenge.
27:57So, Jonathan Kaminga, plenty of playoff experience
28:01with the Golden State Warriors at the free throw line.
28:04And Quinn Snyder told us it was really a bit of a feel thing
28:09in the fourth quarter of Game 2.
28:12Cassidy, what has Kaminga felt like in his new role here in Atlanta?
28:16Yeah, when I asked Jalen Johnson that exact question,
28:19he summed up his presence best by saying he's a dog ready to be unleashed.
28:23And that's how Atlanta views his energy, athleticism, and edge.
28:26Kaminga brings his rotation.
28:28Quinn Snyder's message to him has been simple.
28:30Defend, run, and attack.
28:32And he's embraced it.
28:33And it starts with toughness, he says.
28:35His mindset is to set the tone on defense, guys.
28:37Clarkson gets it to go, plus one.
28:41So, the Knicks searching for something offensively
28:45other than Jalen Brunson and O.G. Adenobe.
28:47And you get a bucket from Carl Anthony Towns,
28:50and then you get another one from Jordan Clarkson.
28:52Well, and Clarkson's been the only perimeter player
28:55that's been effective for the Knicks in this series.
28:57He now has 17 points on 8 of 13 shooting.
29:02McBride, Shaman, and Alvarado came into the game 3 for 19.
29:07And haven't made one today.
29:10Haven't gotten much out of that group.
29:12Free throw shooting was an issue in Game 2 for New York.
29:14They went 17 of 27 at the line.
29:17A couple of big misses from O.G. Adenobe in the fourth quarter.
29:20McCollum, a lot of dribbling.
29:22And a lot of scoring.
29:24Wow.
29:26C.J. McCollum has had a lot of playoff success in his career.
29:30He's averaged over 20 a game.
29:32This is his 70th playoff game.
29:34But he's never really been the number one guy
29:36and now he is.
29:38He comes in averaging 29 in this series
29:41and has nine already today.
29:44And his ability to score in a variety of ways
29:47has been on display in this series.
29:49Adenobe.
29:50Pumps fake.
29:50It's going to cost him.
29:51They run out of time.
29:54Seventh New York turnover of this first half.
29:58Well, and I think the last two turnovers
30:01have in large part been Carl Anthony Towns
30:05being too unselfish.
30:08He's got to take over with this group.
30:10He had the one drive on
30:12McKeel Alexander Walker.
30:14He threw the ball out of bounds
30:16where he could have just stopped
30:18and powered the ball up over the top.
30:20And there, on the shot fake,
30:23he should have let the guy fly by and shot it.
30:25They need Carl Anthony Towns to score.
30:28They had a clock issue.
30:30They have resolved it.
30:33And the Hawks are up by 13 on the Knicks.
30:37McCollum gets you the first wave
30:39and he's fouled in three-point territory.
30:41Right now it's C.J. McCollum's world.
30:47His former teammate in New Orleans,
30:50Jose Alvarado, called on the personal.
30:54I think New York might want to think about
30:58either blitzing C.J. McCollum on the pick and roll
31:01or switching and then firing back to double.
31:05But just letting him come off these picks
31:08and either shoot the ball or go one-on-one at the bigs.
31:11Not working for him.
31:12McCollum missed two free throws
31:14in the final seconds in Game 2.
31:16They still won the game.
31:17But I know he was upset about that.
31:19The foul was called after Alvarado tried to recover.
31:26Another one coming for McCollum.
31:28Now the Hawks are up by 14.
31:33Atlanta averaged 118.5 points per game
31:36in the regular season.
31:37Third highest in franchise history.
31:40They had some good scoring teams
31:42in the past.
31:44This is their largest cushion.
31:4515.
31:50Alvarado, Clarkson.
31:52And Anovi, Schammett, and Towns.
31:55The five on the floor for New York.
32:00Can we get the ball over to Towns' side of the floor?
32:04Shot clock is down to seven.
32:06Towns hasn't been anywhere close to it.
32:09Clarkson is going to take it and miss it for three.
32:13Rebound, Kaminga.
32:14Hulton running.
32:16Hit by Schammett.
32:18Leave it.
32:18McCollum.
32:20Off the mark.
32:23Leak out by Alvarado.
32:25Pedal to the middle.
32:26Alvarado weighs it in.
32:27And the foul.
32:29Great push.
32:30Good, quick outlet by Towns.
32:32Alvarado, great pace to the rim.
32:34Hey, anybody, by him!
32:38Jose Alvarado will shoot one.
32:43Come on, now!
32:50It's 40-27 Atlanta.
32:53The shooting numbers are still through the roof for the Hawks at 56%.
33:00The Knicks are 2 of 13 from three-point territory.
33:03That's 15% as McCollum sits.
33:06And now he'll be joined by Gay.
33:10Okamu back in.
33:14And some extra time here for Gabe Vincent.
33:21Gabe Vincent's played in a lot of big playoff games in his career.
33:25Also, another guy that provides playoff experience to this Hawks team.
33:34The lead is 12.
33:36Alexander Walker.
33:37Drive, kick, ball movement leads to Vincent.
33:40He takes it in.
33:41Left hand, no, and a foul.
33:47Gabe Vincent going to the free-throw line.
33:49Bridges picks up his second.
33:52And the third team foul against New York.
33:56Bill Alexander turns the corner.
33:59Excellent spacing.
34:00Which Quinn Steiner just talked about.
34:03In that timeout, we heard that spacing's the key.
34:07That gave him room to move the ball and attack.
34:13Don't miss a playoff moment with the NBA app.
34:16Tap to watch games live.
34:17Track the stat line shaping this series so far.
34:20Go behind the scenes of the postseason in the moments tab.
34:22Download the app today.
34:25Another one here for Gabe Vincent.
34:27Now in year number six.
34:30Previously with Miami and the Lakers.
34:33And he's fit in nicely.
34:35The attitude that he brings.
34:39Physical defender.
34:46Made his way through the G League to get to this spot.
34:5142-28, Hawks.
34:53Tried to get the ball to Towns there.
34:55But deflected away by Kuminga.
34:58It's Clarkson.
34:59A fade away.
35:00Doesn't go.
35:01Towns is there to collect it and finish it on the interior.
35:04Well, he's one of the best offensive rebounders in the league.
35:07And if you can't get it any other way, get it off the glass.
35:13Alexander Walker, one-on-one with Towns.
35:18Couldn't get it to go.
35:19And it's rebounded by Hart.
35:22Hart push up the floor.
35:24Clarkson trying to get Bridges involved.
35:26The corner jump.
35:27No good.
35:29Johnson the rebound.
35:30Trying to run.
35:31Alexander Walker lost it for a moment.
35:33Johnson is there to clean up the loose change.
35:41Nine points in 11 minutes for the all-star, Jalen Johnson.
35:47And the lead is back to 14.
35:50Hart goes down.
35:51Needs help.
35:52Hart bounces.
35:54Alvarado breaks away for two.
35:56That's a great cut by Alvarado.
35:58And Hart just kept his poise on the floor.
36:01No panic.
36:02And found the cutter.
36:05Knicks are going to make some changes next to that ball.
36:08Kaminga taken away.
36:10It was ripped out of there by Towns.
36:12Clarkson forcing the action.
36:14He's going to do it himself.
36:15Missed it.
36:16Rebound Hart.
36:17Follow.
36:18No.
36:18Tip in.
36:19Yes.
36:19Towns.
36:20Ten-point game and a timeout.
36:246.58 to play in the first half.
36:27The Hawks lead the Knicks 44-34 on prime.
36:33Game three.
36:34The Hawks lead the Knicks 44-34.
36:36Iron Eagle, Stan Van Gundy, Cassidy Hubbard, and all of our close friends here in the broadcast area as well.
36:42It's tight here in Atlanta.
36:44Stan, let's talk defensive strategy and when teams choose to use drop coverage.
36:49Well, they use the drop coverage so that they don't let the roll man behind them, in this case, Mo
36:58Gay, so that they can stay home on three-point shooters.
37:01But, obviously, that opens up the ball handler for pull-up jump shots.
37:07C.J. McCollum has scored 11.
37:10He and Kaminga are the leading scorers for Atlanta.
37:1411 for Bronx and 10 for Ananobi.
37:17But, what Atlanta has gotten off the bench with Kaminga and Gay and Vincent has been such a bolt and
37:28juice offensively.
37:31McCollum, nice defense there by Hart.
37:34McCollum tries to pivot.
37:35He fades and hits.
37:37Tough shot after tough shot.
37:40C.J. McCollum is on a roll.
37:43That was great defense by the Knicks.
37:4846-34, Hawks.
37:50We approach the midway point of the second quarter.
37:54Knocked away, and a steal.
37:56Oh, Conwell will go upstairs for the flush.
37:59That's what Atlanta does at their best defensively.
38:03Force turnovers and turn them into points.
38:07They were just trying to get Bronx in the basketball.
38:10And another New York turnover.
38:14The spin.
38:14And a deuce for Brunson.
38:1913 now for Jalen Brunson.
38:23And that one comes up short.
38:28Okungul.
38:3048-36 Atlanta.
38:35McCollum switch.
38:37Switch back with Daniels.
38:39Brunson goes to work.
38:41Brunson off one leg.
38:43Comes up short.
38:44Daniels shoots it ahead for McCollum.
38:48And he steps out of bounds on the sideline.
38:52Quinn Snyder wanted a foul call.
38:54And having an animated discussion with Nick Booker.
38:59That's seven turnovers for Atlanta.
39:02New York has eight.
39:05But that's a dead ball turnover at least.
39:09Atlanta can get their defense set.
39:13Back in 2025, the Knicks went to Detroit.
39:16One game, three in a 1-1 series.
39:18Jesus, Bridges misses on the middie.
39:23Johnson driving kick.
39:25Daniels wide open low.
39:27Oh, slam down in one motion.
39:31Okungul with a grown man's jam.
39:36Adenobe blocked by Okungul.
39:39The Hawks are doing it on both ends.
39:42Kaminga up the floor in a hurry.
39:45Couldn't finish it.
39:47And saved by Adenobe as he was falling to the floor.
39:52Hawks are back up by 14.
39:54Their largest lead has been 15.
39:57Four and a half to go in the second quarter.
39:59Brunson forced to give up his dribble.
40:02Hart will fire.
40:04Misses on a three.
40:05Uncontested rebound for Johnson.
40:07Well, New York's trying to get McCollum on Brunson on the switch.
40:12They got it once.
40:13He scored.
40:14And now Atlanta won't switch.
40:16Johnson.
40:18Foul is called.
40:20Right at the rim.
40:22Jalen Johnson is going to the free throw line.
40:30And that foul on Adenobe, his second.
40:35Wow.
40:36No one puts a body on a Kong who he comes flying in.
40:42The fourth team foul against New York.
40:46Johnson is now three of three at the free throw line.
40:52Alexander Walker checking back in, replacing Dyson Daniels.
41:00No, he's going to replace now.
41:02It looks like Kuminga.
41:03So they make the switch, and Kuminga will head to the bench.
41:08And Jalen Johnson does this a lot.
41:11Like, I would say he's quietly got 11.7 rebounds, a couple of assists in this game.
41:22It's the one thing in the first two games, his assist numbers are down.
41:26Johnson averaged eight assists per game during the regular season.
41:30You don't usually think of him in that manner.
41:32The roll by Robinson, and he nearly rips down the rim and backboard.
41:37I would like to see more of that from the Knicks.
41:40Just kicking role play with the center.
41:43McCollum is at another level.
41:47I'm telling you, every time he sees Jalen Brunson, he's looking to score.
41:54Every time.
41:58It's worth dancing for what C.J. McCollum is doing in this series.
42:08And we've got a, looks like a foul on OG Ananobi.
42:14It is his third, and the Knicks are over the limit.
42:18Alexander Walker will go to the free throw line.
42:21So now the Knicks are going to play with their double big lineup with Robinson and Towns.
42:35And the amount of work that Brunson has to do guarding C.J. McCollum
42:40also expends a great deal of energy.
42:43Well, and the work they're making him do on offense just to get shots, Ian.
42:48I mean, they are really making him work.
42:50Right now, to me, the Knicks way down.
42:53Obviously, the defense has got to get better.
42:55That guy, Carl Anthony Towns, has got to get more involved.
43:02The lead is now 18 for the Hawks.
43:07I would just run pick and roll with Towns and Brunson.
43:10Let them play.
43:11They go to the handoff.
43:14Brunson.
43:15Short.
43:18Well, it's tough to go over the top of Dyson Daniels.
43:21He's got such great size.
43:23One of the best defenders in this league.
43:25McCollum.
43:28The jumper.
43:29Short.
43:32Pumped up in the air.
43:33Daniels hits the cutter.
43:34Johnson.
43:34And Johnson denied by Towns.
43:37They're working five on four right now.
43:41Towns is going to go to the rim and put it in.
43:45The Knicks, I would like to see these last three minutes be Carl Anthony Towns, because they've
43:51got to get him going if they're going to win this series.
43:54Johnson open the loop.
43:56Off the side of the rim.
43:58Long rebound.
43:58Hart gathers.
43:59It's a two-on-one.
44:00Hart's going to try to do it himself.
44:02Denied.
44:04McCollum, the block, and out of bounds.
44:06He had McBride also running towards the rim.
44:16And the Knicks take a timeout.
44:19What more can C.J. McCollum do?
44:2316 points and now a great play to save the break.
44:335th check is presented by Lexus Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves, hosting the
44:39Denver Nuggets game three with that series tied at 1-1.
44:44Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets trying to regain home court advantage.
44:50We've got the action for you right here on Prime.
44:54And coming up, the half, back in the studio, Taylor Rooks, Dirk Nowitzki, Blake Griffin,
45:00Udonis Haslam, Steve Nash.
45:02Breakdown of this first half, the Cavaliers and the Raptors will have an update for you
45:06all coming up here on Prime.
45:11The half presented by AT&T.
45:17C.J. McCollum is just having such a strong series.
45:24Getting a great deal of acclaim in year 13 in the NBA.
45:32Out of the tie-out, Daniel swings, O'Connor roll.
45:36Air ball on a three.
45:37Towns gets it ahead for Clarkson.
45:40Clarkson drives it and makes it in.
45:43Clarkson's giving him good minutes in this series.
45:47Scoring, getting on the offensive glass.
45:53Alexander Walker misses on a three ball.
45:57And the ball is out of bounds.
46:00Knicks take over.
46:01Alexander Walker having a tough time shooting the ball in this series.
46:08He shot it at 46% from the field in the regular season and 40% from three-point territory.
46:16Tonight he's 0 of 4 and 0 of 2 from beyond the arc.
46:20Two minutes to go.
46:21First half.
46:22McBride.
46:22Got a three.
46:23Now that one had to feel good for McBride.
46:29And a 7-0 run has cut the Atlanta lead to 11.
46:34McCollum.
46:37Missed it on the floater.
46:41Get it ahead for Clarkson.
46:43He's got a runaway here against O'Connor.
46:46And clear it for Hart.
46:49Clarkson goes to work.
46:51Clarkson.
46:52Off the zigzag.
46:54Using the window.
46:589-0 run for New York.
47:00There's a reason why that guy's one of the best bench scorers in the history of the NBA.
47:09Johnson gets around.
47:11Hart couldn't put it down.
47:12Hart is there for the board.
47:14The Knicks are running.
47:14A three-on-two developing.
47:16Clarkson's going to take and miss on a three-ball.
47:19And grabbed by Okonwu.
47:22Under a minute to play in this first half.
47:24Contact down goes Alexander Walker.
47:27And the Knicks are over the limit.
47:32Hey, don't forget.
47:34Prime has got you covered to watch more than one game at the same time.
47:37Using our multi-view feature available on most devices.
47:41To access, click down on your remote and select multi-view to watch the Knicks and Hawks and the Cavs
47:47and Raptors side-by-side.
47:53Just underway with Cleveland leading that series.
47:57Two games to not.
47:58Alexander Walker was fouled on the play by Brunson.
48:03His first.
48:06You coached him.
48:07You know him well.
48:08You know what he's all about.
48:09Well, what he's all about is he's an extremely hard worker who's absolutely driven to be the best player he
48:17could possibly become.
48:18And I think should be the most improved player in the league this year.
48:24It only averaged other figures once in his career.
48:28At like 11 points a game five years ago.
48:33And he averages over 20 this year.
48:35He's had an outstanding year.
48:37Did you have a vote?
48:39I did have a vote and he was my vote.
48:43McBride cashes in on a three-ball.
48:45It's good to see the Knicks bench get going here.
48:50It's an eight-point lead, a two-for-one here for the Hawks.
48:54McCollum crosses over, drives, and he tossed it right at McBride who couldn't grab it.
48:5810 to shoot.
49:00Alexander Walker trying to turn the corner.
49:02He does.
49:03Floats it high off the window.
49:06Hart comes away with the board.
49:08And the Knicks can hold for one.
49:10They have come all the way back down by as many as 18.
49:13A late charge in this second quarter.
49:16The Hawks have missed their last five shots.
49:18Knicks trying to take advantage.
49:20Eight seconds left.
49:22Brunson defended by Daniels.
49:23Scrape from Clarkson.
49:25Three seconds.
49:26Two seconds.
49:27McBride a fend-off.
49:29McBride fires at the horn.
49:30And he comes up short.
49:33Eight-point game at the break.
49:36With Atlanta trying to take a 2-1 lead in this best-of-seven opening round series.
49:42A 12-2 run to end the half.
49:45But the Knicks have had no answers for C.J. McCollum.
49:4816 points on 6 of 10 from the field.
49:55It's game three.
49:57Atlanta currently with the upper hand on New York.
50:00You're watching the NBA playoffs.
50:02Presented by Google.
50:17Rainworks.
50:18Started by Google.
50:24I was a man.
50:27I was a man.
50:27I was a man.
50:28Good night.
50:35Social gap.
50:36You're watching first-round coverage on Prime, presented by Lilly.
50:41We're getting you ready for second-half action here in Atlanta,
50:43where the Hawks lead the Knicks 58-250.
50:47Iron Eagles, Stan Van Gundy, Cassidy Hubbard, the rest of our NBA on Prime crew.
50:51Stan, Hawks led by as many as 18.
50:54Knicks go on that run.
50:55What were the numbers that stood out for you?
50:57Well, Atlanta plus 9 from behind the arc and plus 9 at the free throw line,
51:02but the Knicks plus 16 in the paint.
51:05All right, time for our Fly Better Moments, presented by Emirates.
51:12Well, with the Atlanta Hawks, when you have a high flyer like Okungwu,
51:17he can create lots and lots of highlights on both ends of the floor.
51:22Moments ago, Cassidy Hubbard with Atlanta forward Jalen Johnson.
51:28Thanks, Ian.
51:29Jalen, you came out making an impact all over the court in that first half.
51:33What was the tone you were looking to set from the jump?
51:35I think just stay aggressive.
51:36That's the mentality I got to have, and that's the way I wanted to start off tonight.
51:40Well, the Knicks, they ended that quarter on a 12-2 run.
51:44What do you guys have to do to secure your lead in the second half?
51:47Yeah, I think we just got to respond to their runs.
51:49We can't lose focus.
51:51We got to continue to do what we've been doing and continue to make our runs as well.
51:54Thanks for your time and good luck.
51:56All right, Cassidy, start of the third.
51:59The Hawks and Knicks are tied at a game apiece in this first-round best-of-seven series.
52:0658-50 Atlanta.
52:09Alexander Walker could not finish it, and O.G. Ananobi is there for the board.
52:15The struggles continue.
52:16Now 0-6 from the field.
52:19He is 9-for-35 in the series.
52:23Carl Anthony Towns with a purpose.
52:25Well, there you go.
52:26Carl Anthony Towns has averaged 6 in the first halves, but 16-and-a-half in the second halves.
52:32Oh, Kovlo, string music on a 3.
52:4261-52 Atlanta.
52:43Atlanta.
52:45Bridges has been invisible offensively.
52:490-3 from the field.
52:52Towns tried to bounce it inside.
52:53It's a kickball against Okungwu.
52:5514 to shoot.
52:58Here Towns, strong drive.
53:02And finish.
53:03But then, as he was out of the play, they were able to just come down and get Okungwu on
53:08a wide-open trail three.
53:13Brunson gathers.
53:15Brunson drives.
53:16Brunson finishes.
53:18Plus the foul.
53:20Well, if I'm the Knicks, I'm going to ride the Brunson-Carl Anthony Towns pick-and-roll until I am
53:28sure that Atlanta can stop it.
53:32It's your two best players.
53:33You've got to get into that two-man game with those two guys.
53:38Jalen Brunson now with 15 points.
53:42Three assists.
53:44Towns has 10 and Anobi has 10.
53:48Brunson comes up short.
53:49They're 4 of 6 at the free-throw line.
53:52Well, they missed 10 free-throws in Game 2, a big reason that they took a loss.
53:59McCullough.
54:01Slammed down, and Moffalo rising up is Daniels.
54:05That's his second offensive rebound.
54:07Avin Thompson, the only non-center who was a better offensive rebounder on the season, Dan Dyson-Daniels.
54:16Brunson misses it from three-point territory.
54:20Daniels up the floor in a hurry.
54:21Johnson, extra, Alexander Walker.
54:24Got a three.
54:28And just like that, the lead is 12.
54:32Brunson tries to shake and bake.
54:35Swings for Ananobi.
54:38Just about two minutes gone by here in the third.
54:41Ananobi to Bridges.
54:43Tracks it down in the paint.
54:44Kick it around the perimeter.
54:46Hart.
54:47The spin.
54:49Rips out.
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