The New York Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals 109-93 to take a 2-0 series lead.

The Knicks have won 9 straight games in the postseason, which extends a franchise record. 

New York and Cleveland had a tightly contested first half, but the Knicks were able to pull away in the third quarter and not look back. 

What the Knicks did in Game 2 is something they have done all playoffs. It took them sometime to settle into the game, going into halftime with a 4 point lead. In the third quarter, the tide changed and the Knicks found their groove on offense. 

The Knicks went on an 18-0 run in the third quarter and pulled away as they took a 71-53 lead at one point. One of the driving factors of the run was Josh Hart, who had a playoff career-high 26 points. 

It was a complete turnaround from his Game 1 performance, where he had just 13 points in 31 minutes. 

Another reason for their success in Game 2 was their efficiency on offense. The Knicks shot 48 percent from the field, compared to the Cavaliers' 40 percent. Cleveland also struggled to shoot the ball from three-point range, shooting 16-50. 

The Knicks' defense has been a great help during the postseason, and that continued again in Game 2. 

New York will go back to Cleveland for games 3 and 4, and to continue their dominance, their defense will have to continue being what it has been throughout the playoffs. 

What has sparked New York's big runs throughout these playoffs has been their defense, leading to easier opportunities to score and get points in transition.  

Another factor in their success has been their level of physicality. In Game 2, New York outscored Cleveland in the paint 60-38. They also out-rebounded the Cavaliers 47-38, and it felt like they had control of the paint for much of the game. 

Cleveland will also be motivated to get the home crowd involved in this game. The Knicks have yet to get off to a hot start in either game of this series, and now that they will be on the road for the next two, it will be harder to come back from a big deficit. 

The Knicks must stick to what's gotten them this far: their defense and three-point shooting.