Hawks fend off Knicks, Raptors pull away from Cavs to cut deficit

TL;DR

The Atlanta Hawks edged the New York Knicks 109-108, taking a 2-1 lead in their playoff series, thanks to CJ McCollum's late-game heroics. Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 126-104 to cut their series deficit to 2-1.

Key points

Hawks lead playoff series against Knicks 2-1
CJ McCollum scored the game-winner for the Hawks
Raptors cut series deficit against Cavaliers to 2-1

Atlanta HawksNew York KnicksToronto RaptorsCleveland Cavaliers

CJ McCollum of the Atlanta Hawks drives against Jalen Brunson in the Hawks' win over the New York Knicks in game three of their NBA playoff series (Kevin C. Cox) (Kevin C. Cox/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP) CJ McCollum hit the game-winner with 12.5 seconds remaining as the Atlanta Hawks pulled off another nail-biting victory over New York to take a 2-1 lead in their NBA first-round playoff series on Thursday. The Hawks beat the Knicks 109-108 in Atlanta, their second straight one-point triumph giving them the advantage in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference Series. The Toronto Raptors also thrived at home, pulling away late in a 126-104 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers that cut the deficit in their series to 2-1. The Hawks produced a fine collective effort, especially on the defensive end, to thwart the third-seeded Knicks' comeback bid. With plenty of time after McCollum's go-ahead basket, the Knicks were unable to get a shot off as the Hawks pressured Jalen Brunson into a poor pass intended for Josh Hart and Jonathan Kuminga lunged in for a game-clinching steal. "Picture perfect," McCollum said of the defensive display in the waning seconds. "When it was time to get a stop our guys dug deep and they did what it takes to win in these types of environments." scored 24 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and handed out eight assists for the Hawks. McCollum added 23 points and Kuminga scored 21 off the bench. The Hawks had led by as many as 18 in the first half but the Knicks took a 108-105 lead on a three-point play by Brunson, who was fouled by McCollum on a drive to the basket and converted the free throw with 1:03 to play. Johnson pulled the Hawks back within one with a putback layup and, after misses by Hart and Brunson, McCollum came through. "I got to a spot and did what I had to do to get this win," McCollum said, but he was still irked with himself for fouling Brunson. McCollum said: "I've got to be better." scored 29 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Knicks. Brunson scored 26 points and scored 21 points with 17 rebounds for New York, who will try to turn the tables in game four in Atlanta on Saturday. In , and scored 33 points apiece, and rookie added 22 off the bench for the Raptors. Barnes handed out 11 assists and the Raptors, who took a two-point lead into the fourth quarter, stormed home. They connected on eight of nine three-point attempts in the final frame, out-scoring the Cavaliers 43-23. "We knew we needed one," said Barnes after the Raptors avoided falling behind 0-3 -- a deficit no NBA team has come back from to win a playoff series. scored 18 points and the Cavs got 15 from , and . bb/pst

Q&A

What was the final score of the Hawks vs Knicks playoff game?

The Atlanta Hawks defeated the New York Knicks 109-108.

Who scored the game-winning basket for the Hawks?

CJ McCollum hit the game-winning shot with 12.5 seconds remaining.

How did the Raptors perform against the Cavaliers in their playoff game?

The Toronto Raptors won 126-104 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, cutting their series deficit to 2-1.