Knicks have been lethal in first quarter of closeout games in playoffs

Keep an eye on the first quarter of tonight’s Game 5 because that’s when the Knicks have been their most lethal in closeout games in the playoffs.

Let’s start with Game 6 in Atlanta as the Knicks were looking to end their first-round series against the Hawks. The Knicks put on an historic performance, closing the first quarter on a 31-4 run to build 40-15 lead. The Knicks shot 18-for-26 in the first quarter. The Knicks didn’t let up in the second quarter, scoring 43 points and building an 83-36 halftime lead, the largest halftime deficit in NBA playoff history. The Knicks won the game, 140-89.

Next up was the 76ers in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Knicks had a 3-0 series lead heading into Game 4 in Philadelphia and quickly took control of the game. The Knicks outscored the 76ers 43-24 in the first quarter, thanks to connecting on 11 of their first 12 shots from behind the arc. The Knicks had an 81-57 halftime lead and cruised to a 144-114 win.

The Knicks were in the same situation against the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, holding a 3-0 series lead heading into Game 4 in Cleveland. The Knicks shot a sizzling 15-for-27 with 12 assists in the first quarter, building a 38-26 lead and eventually leading by as many as 45 points before settling for a 130-93 win.

Will the Knicks continue that trend tonight in San Antonio? Recent history suggests they could.