NEW YORK (Interstat) — Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 18 points and 13 rebounds and Josh Hart added 26 points and seven assists as the New York Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-93 on Thursday at Madison Square Garden to take a 2-0 lead in their playoff series.

Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points for Cleveland, which lost its second straight in the best-of-seven matchup. Jalen Brunson had 19 points and 14 assists for the Knicks. Mikal Bridges scored 19 points, and OG Anunoby added 14.

James Harden finished with 18 points and six rebounds for the Cavaliers. Jarrett Allen had 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Evan Mobley scored 14.

New York outscored Cleveland 32-21 in the third quarter to seize control. The Knicks shot 50 percent from the field and made 13 three-pointers. The Cavaliers shot 44 percent from the floor.

Attendance was 19,812. The series moves to Cleveland for Game 3 on Monday. New York improved to 64-32; Cleveland fell to 60-38.