CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers were still somewhat hanging around.
They had cut their deficit to 10 with 9:15 left in the fourth quarter and were trading baskets with the Knicks. A run could have made things interesting.
But Landry Shamet drilled three straight 3-pointers for the Knicks, who extended their lead to 14 points as a result. And that was mostly that.
Shamet finished with 14 points on 4-for-5 shooting from 3-point range in the Knicks’ 121-108 win over the Cavaliers in Game 3 on Saturday night at Rocket Arena to take a 3-0 series lead. And when he was in the game, he primarily guarded Donovan Mitchell and did an admirable job.
“Landry was huge,” coach Mike Brown said. “And then on the other end of the floor, he’s gotta match up with a guy like Donovan Mitchell, who is a tough cover for anybody. You’re not gonna stop him but you gotta work your tail off. Landry’s trying to work.”
There was a time, not too long ago, when Shamet was out of the rotation. Jose Alvarado had replaced him. But OG Anunoby’s absence in Games 3 and 4 of the second round against the 76ers opened the door for Shamet, and he has completely capitalized on his opportunity.
He was key to the Knicks’ historic comeback in Game 1. Now one win away from the NBA Finals, it seems he’s re-established his place.
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Shamet played 28 minutes Saturday. Alvarado played just four minutes, and Jordan Clarkson logged three minutes.
Even Miles McBride, normally a rotation staple, had half of Shamet’s workload with 14 minutes.
