It was the form of efficiency that may encourage confidence — not less than till it wasn’t.
Contending for a title is the secret at Madison Sq. Backyard, and the street to a title rivalry will undoubtedly run by means of Cleveland, house to the East’s No. 1-seeded Cavaliers.
The Knicks traveled to “The Land” for the second leg of a back-to-back after Tuesday night time’s victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. With their first (Jalen Brunson), second (Miles McBride) and third-string (Cameron Payne) level guards plus defensive anchor Mitchell Robinson (left ankle harm administration) on the injured listing, the Knicks gave a valiant effort, by as many as 15 factors earlier than the Cavs confirmed why they’re the perfect within the East and pulled away for a 124-105 victory at Rocket Area on Wednesday.
The Cavaliers broke the Knicks’ report of 71 straight video games gained when main by 15 or extra factors.
The Knicks have now fallen to 0-3 towards the Cavaliers this season with a fourth and last match looming on April 11. Every of New York’s last three matchups towards Cleveland have fallen on a back-to-back. In the meantime, the Cavs obtained two days of relaxation in-between video games earlier than internet hosting the Knicks on Tuesday.
It didn’t seem like it to start out. Actually, the Knicks seemed just like the group with contemporary legs. New York jumped out to an early 12-4 lead and constructed a 25-15 benefit halfway by means of the opening interval. The lead swelled to fifteen with 3:58 remaining within the second quarter, largely due to OG Anunoby, who had 19 factors within the first half alone, together with 13 on 3-of-4 capturing from deep in Interval 2.
After which the Cavs awakened.
Cleveland held the Knicks to simply 9-of-26 capturing popping out of the halftime break and simply one-of-eight capturing from downtown. All of the whereas, the Cavaliers obtained no matter they wished, capturing an ideal 15-of-15 from two-point vary within the third quarter and 81 % from the sector altogether.
The Knicks shot simply 1-of-15 from deep within the second half.
Karl-Anthony Cities returned to the rotation after sitting Tuesday with left knee soreness. He completed with 25 factors and 13 rebounds however battled foul bother after choosing up three within the first half. Anunoby completed with 23 factors however solely registered 4 within the second half, and Josh Hart added 19 factors, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and two steals.
The Knicks, nonetheless, didn’t solely wrestle producing offense. In addition they couldn’t decelerate Cavs All-Star Donovan Mitchell, who thrived each in isolation and pick-and-roll conditions whereas defended by Mikal Bridges. Mitchell scored 27 factors on 10-of-18 capturing from the sector in simply 28 minutes of motion on Tuesday.
Bridges shot 3-of-6 from the sector for eight factors in 36 minutes of play.
Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen mixed for 34 factors and 12 rebounds, profiting from a lightweight Knicks entrance court docket whereas Cities battled foul bother. With out Robinson, and with rookie Ariel Hukporti nonetheless on the mend after tearing his meniscus, Tom Thibodeau turned to Treasured Achiuwa on the backup middle spot.
Achiuwa completed with 13 factors and 6 rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench, whereas the Cavaliers obtained 32 factors from their second unit, together with 16 from De’Andre Hunter and 11 from Isaac Okoro.
Hunter has now scored 16 or extra in 9 of his final 10 video games towards the Knicks, together with 16 factors in 19 minutes on Feb. 26 and 7 20-point performances previous to his commerce from the Atlanta Hawks.
The Knicks aren’t on tempo to satisfy the Cavaliers within the playoffs except one in all two issues occurs: Both the Knicks, who now have a 3.5-game lead on the No. 4-seeded Indiana Pacers, spiral out of third place, or they pull an upset over the reigning champion Boston Celtics, supplied each groups make it to Spherical 2.
They’re additionally hopeful Brunson is again on the court docket when the 2 groups face one another once more on April 11.
Brunson or not, the outcomes haven’t modified. The Knicks are winless towards the three-best groups within the NBA — the Cavaliers, the Celtics and the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
The primary half in Cleveland was promising, however it wasn’t sufficient. Time will inform if a wholesome roster could make up the distinction.
Initially Printed: April 2, 2025 at 9:46 PM EDT
