Cavaliers 142, Knicks 105: Scenes from falling on Cleveland’s sword

Short-handed Knicks are no match for the Ohio Players

The odds were against the New York Knicks (37-19) tonight at the Rocket Arena. The Cleveland Cavaliers (46-10) had lost only four home games this season. Both teams were playing on the second night of a back-to-back, both having won games in New York City yesterday (Cavs at Barclays, Knicks at MSG). The Knicks were short-handed again, with Josh Hart sitting out a second game and Mitchell Robinson in street clothes. Sure, OG Anunoby returned after missing six with a toe/foot issue, but the sledding was bound to be tough against a healthy, league-leading Cavs team. And so it was. Final score, 142-105.

New York had their chances early. Jalen Brunson came out firing, scoring the Knicks’ first nine points and 16 of their 29 in the quarter. We cheered when rookie Ariel Hukporti checked in midway through the quarter, swatted down Jarrett Allen at the rim, and came away with the ball. But the highlights were few, and flimsy interior defense let Cleveland feast—26 of their 41 first-quarter points came in the paint.

Surrendering 41 on 74% shooting to start the contest? That never bodes well. Here’s Huk.

In the second quarter, Brunson added nothing to his total, and New York stacked up the bricks while the Ohio Players piled on the points. Donovan Mitchell scored 24 on 9-of-11 in the half, leading his squad to a 77-50 lead at intermission. Against the league’s best team, every mistake hurts. New York’s nine first-half turnovers cost them 14 points. Also not helpful? Making 4-of-13 from deep while your opponent hits 8-of-15.

After halftime, the home team went up by 33. Unable to get stops, the best the Knicks could do was trade buckets—and they did little of that, too. The score was 110-79 heading into the fourth, and in such a godforsaken hole, Thibs pulled the starters. New York native Ty Jerome hit two threes; the Knicks fell behind by their biggest deficit of the season, 41 points; and I went back to reading Denis Johnson’s Train Dreams. Great book. Terrible game.

Up Next

For you, Professor has a proper recap on the way. For the Knicks, it’s a trip to Beantown to face the Boston Celtics in a Sunday matinee. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.

Box Score