Knicks Head Coach Mike Brown Details His Strategy to Throttle James Harden in ECF Game 1

Mike Brown admits exposing James Harden’s weakness in Game 1 of the ECF.

Knicks Head Coach Mike Brown Details His Strategy to Throttle James Harden in ECF Game 1

Mike Brown on James Harden (Image credits - Firstsportz)

In Short
  • Knicks coach Mike Brown targeted James Harden's defense in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
  • The Knicks completed a historic 22-point comeback, winning 115-104 against the Cavaliers.
  • Jalen Brunson scored a game-high 38 points, with 17 in the fourth quarter, exploiting Harden's fatigue.

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals is going to be a tough pill to swallow for James Harden and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Mike Brown and his team pulled off a historic comeback on Tuesday night.

Down by 22 points heading into the fourth quarter, the Knicks completed a 22-point comeback and secured a 115-104 win at Madison Square Garden. It was the largest comeback in the postseason in franchise history and the largest fourth-quarter comeback in an NBA Conference Finals game in the play-by-play era.

After the game, Knicks head coach Brown revealed that the Knicks’ late-game offensive strategy was to target Harden in defense.

We have to figure out different ways to guard Harden and Mitchell, they got to figure out different ways to guard Jaylen (Brunson). But It was no secret we were attacking Harden.

Mike Brown in his post-match press conference

James Harden has often come under the scanner when the playoffs are underway. There is no doubt that the 36-year-old will go down as one of the greatest offensive players to ever play the game, but he does have his fair share of meltdowns in the playoffs, and this year has been no different.

The Cavs made a move for Harden at the trade deadline this year. After falling short in the playoffs over the last few years, the trade for Harden was a statement from the franchise that they are going all in to win this year. It is their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since the departure of LeBron James.

It was a huge opportunity for the Cavs to get their Conference Finals underway with a road win. The missed opportunity will hurt them deeply and could play a role for the remainder of the series.

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Mike Brown used James Harden’s fatigue to flip Game 1

Mike Brown has faced off against James Harden multiple times during his time as associate head coach of the Golden State Warriors, and when Harden was with the Houston Rockets. The former MVP is a ball-dominant player, and every possession forces him to spend more energy, and Brown capitalized on that.

Following the win, Brown explained how the Warriors once tried to drain Harden’s legs during those playoff battles.

When I was in Golden State and we played Houston, we counted James Harden’s dribbles. We told our guys he’s dribbling close to 1000 times a game. Keep picking him up full court and making him dribble. At the end of the game, it would wear him down.

Mike Brown in his post-match press conference

The tactic worked very well for the Knicks as Harden did seem to wear down on the defensive end in the fourth quarter. However, it looks like Harden still has the same weakness as he did during his Houston days.

Stephen A. Smith on Jalen Brunson targeting James Harden in Game 1

The adjustment made by Mike Brown in Knicks’ offense was there for everyone to see in the fourth quarter. Jalen Brunson took over the game as he targeted James Harden in the fourth quarter and overtime. The Knicks guard scored a game-high 38 points, and 17 of those points came in the fourth quarter.

Jalen Brunson shooting over James Harden
Jalen Brunson shooting over James Harden (Image credits – Basket-Infos/X)

After the game, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith praised Brunson for his offensive display in Game 1.

Jalen Brunson goes ballistic and literally should be ARRESTED for the assault that he put on James Harden. Just abused him at every single turn. Annihilated him kept going by him scored like 5 or 6 straight baskets.

Stephen A. Smith on Sportscenter

Harden finished with 15 points on 5-of-16 shooting and committed six turnovers. He will be looking to bounce back strongly after missing a golden opportunity on Tuesday, while the Knicks will be looking to protect home court before heading into Games 3 and 4 in Cleveland.

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