The Cleveland Cavaliers were in command of the New York Knicks until they weren't. Allowing a 44-11 run over the final 12:52 to close the game, the Cavs dropped the Eastern Conference Finals opener at Madison Square Garden, 115-104 in overtime. 

All of the goodwill Cleveland had built in that game, stemming from a terrific third quarter, was gone in the blink of an eye. Giving up that kind of advantage on this stage simply can't happen, and now, the team faces yet another challenge, mentally and physically. 

Spencer German and Spencer Davies broke down the unacceptable loss in the newest episode of Courtside with Cavs.

Topics of the latest show include the following:

- The Cavs thought they crossed the finish line way too early. On many possessions, with eight minutes left, they were too nonchalant. Both Donovan Mitchell and James Harden were taking the shot clock down, initiating offense late as New York's defenders stayed in front and contested difficult shots. Clocking the ball was not wise, and they should have stuck to the pace that got them there.

- Jalen Brunson's role in bringing the Knicks back to life can't be overstated. He was brilliant at simply chipping away when his squad's attack was out of answers. Slowly but surely, New York kept shrinking the lead, and when it came to winning time, the All-Star guard delivered. Brunson begged for the James Harden switch each time he had the ball, and he made his opponents pay dearly for it.

- Cleveland was too willing to give Brunson those defensive looks. For some reason, when Knicks wings set screens to involve Harden in those actions, the Wine and Gold gave him what he wanted. The result was not pretty.

- Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson has to be held accountable for not calling a timeout as his group's advantage gradually bled throughout the back half of the fourth quarter. He pocketed his timeouts to keep them handy, but on the road, it's too risky to allow momentum to swing like that.

- Much scrutinized for their first series against New York three years ago, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley showed that they're much improved and ready for the Knicks. Both bigs had solid performances on the defensive end, and offensively, they helped on the glass and made New York work inside.

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