Atkinson: Cavaliers 'Analytically' Ahead of Knicks in Conference Finals

Quentin Richardson discusses the Cavaliers' lack of energy after their loss to Jalen Brunson and the Knicks in Game 3. (2:28)

Not much has gone right in the Eastern Conference finals for the Cleveland Cavaliers , who are on the brink of being swept in the best-of-seven series.

But Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson thinks his team still has a chance against the New York Knicks , citing analytical data from the series' first three games.

In fact, according to the numbers, the Cavs should be winning the series, Atkinson said.

"I think analytically, I think we've won the -- I said three out of three [games in the series], we're two out of three in the expected wins," Atkinson told reporters Sunday. "I don't know if you guys follow that -- the expected score. We've won two out of three."

After acknowledging a reporter's reaction to his comment -- "I know you're looking confused" -- Atkinson explained his rationale, saying that the Knicks are outperforming their expected shooting numbers while the Cavs are underperforming.

"Last night, our expected score was like one point or two -- us shooting way below expected," he said. "Them shooting way over. I know no one wants to hear that. I think you guys like it. I know the general public -- no one wants that. Everyone is outcome-based. Sure, I get that, too."

The Knicks have won each of the first three games by double figures, including an 11-point overtime victory in Game 1 after rallying from a 22-point fourth-quarter deficit. New York shot 56% from the floor Saturday in Game 3 en route to a 121-108 victory.

The Cavs shot 50% (42-of-84) from the floor Saturday but struggled from long range, going just 12-of-41 (29%) from 3-point range. Cleveland missed 10 of 17 open 3-point shots in Game 3, according to ESPN Research, and is 21 for 65 (32%) on such shots in the series.

The Knicks, on the other hand, have made 42% of their open 3-pointers in the series, according to ESPN Research.

"If you believe in process and all that ... take that layer," Atkinson said. "I know I don't throw that on them [the players]. I see it for myself. We have this feeling -- I have this feeling -- then I can go to our analytical table."

The Knicks have won 10 games in a row and, with a victory Monday in Game 4, can reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.

No team in NBA history has overcome a 3-0 postseason series deficit, but Atkinson still has hope for the Cavs.

"We've had success against this team before," he said. "We've had really good moments in this series -- up 20 in Game 1. Even Game 2, take that run [by the Knicks] out from the beginning of the third quarter, and it's pretty tight."

_Originally reported by [ESPN](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48871303/kenny-atkinson-cavs-analytically-winning-series-vs-knicks)._