The New York Knicks advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 with a 130-93 victory at Cleveland on Monday, stretching their team-record playoff win streak to 11 games.
New York swept the Cavaliers 4-0 in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference final, and the Knicks, who won their only NBA titles in 1970 and 1973, will play for the crown starting June 3rd.
They await the winner between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs out of the Western Conference, a series that is currently tied 2-2 as it heads to Game 5.
Karl-Anthony Towns had 19 points and 14 rebounds, O.G. Anunoby added 17 points, and reserve Landry Shamet had 16 points with 4-of-4 three-point shooting to lead the Knicks' blowout triumph.
"We knew our team was capable of doing this,"Towns said. "All we had to do is put the work in and continue to believe in each other. That's what we did, and that's why we're here."
Jalen Brunson, who was named the series Most Valuable Player with an average of 25.5 points, 7.8 assists, and 3.3 rebounds, added 15 points for New York, who improved to 12-2 in the playoffs.
"It means a lot, but I wouldn't be here without my teammates, the belief they had in me," said Brunson, who was two years old when the Knicks last made the finals, when his father was a guard on the club. "They give me the confidence. They let me be me. Most importantly, we all believe in each other from top to bottom. It's an honor to play with them."
Teammate Josh Hart paid tribute to Brunson.
"He doesn't let us get too high or too low," said Hart. "He wants to make sure we double down on our habits and play this game to win. Everybody wants each other to be successful. Everybody is willing to sacrifice for the betterment of the team. When you do that, that's what makes a great team."
The Knicks closed the first quarter with an 8-0 run and began the second with a 20-0 surge to grab a 50-26 lead.
"We're going to enjoy it for a day or two, but we've got a larger goal here, and we've got to start locking in," Shamet said. "We've got four more wins to try and go get, and we know it's going to be even harder," Shamet said. "Being in this position with this team, it's pretty special."
Shamet made two three-pointers in the pivotal stretch while Brunson and Miles McBride each made a three-pointer as the Knicks seized command.
Another Shamet three-pointer gave the Knicks their largest first-half lead at 61-32 in the second quarter before the Cavs trimmed it to 68-49 at half-time.
New York overwhelmed the Cavs with fast-break scoring and solid defensive work, pulling away for good in the third quarter.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 31 points.
"I'm disappointed for the group," Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said. "You want to fulfil your expectations. That was disappointing."
Knicks coach Mike Brown called his players a "heck of a group."
"Every single one of the guys on the team has sacrificed. Every single one of the guys on the team has a competitive spirit," said Brown. "Every single one of the guys on the team is connected. Every single one of the guys on the team believe in each other and the process and they all hold me and each other accountable."
