Cavs Coast to 109-94 Victory Against Knicks

Monday’s matchup was billed as an Eastern Conference heavyweight brawl. It turned out to be a Cavs TKO. 

The Knicks scored the first two points of the night and got to within a point just before half, but the contest was never that close – with Cleveland pulling away midway through the third quarter and never looking back, coasting to the 109-94 victory at Rocket Arena. 

After stumbling on Sunday in OKC, the Wine & Gold returned to the win column in impressive fashion, drawing even with New York in the standings and winning for the 13^th time in their last 15 outings.

The Cavaliers were the more physical team throughout on Monday night, turning in a dominant defensive performance – holding the high-scoring Knicks to just 41 percent shooting, including 27 percent from beyond the arc. New York tallied just 11 points in the third quarter as Cleveland broke things open. 

The Wine & Gold weren’t exactly an offensive juggernaut in the third and final regular season meeting between these teams, but still featured six players in double-figures, led by Donovan Mitchell’s 23 points, going just 5-for-18 from the floor, but 11-of-14 from the stripe, adding five boards, four assists and three steals. 

James Harden followed up with 20 points on 8-of-18 shooting, including 4-of-7 from deep, handing out four dimes of his own in the win. 

Jarrett Allen continued his red-hot roll, doubling up for the ninth time in his last 10 games with 19 points and a team-high 10 rebounds, going 7-of-8 from the floor to go with a pair of blocked shots and a steal. Cleveland is now 14-3 this season when the 9^th-year big man notches a double-double. 

“Rebounding was a glaring issue in the first two games (against New York),” said Allen. “And every coach made a point of emphasis that 1 through 5 needed to help with the rebounding, especially against Mitchell Robinson. Everybody knows he’s one of the best rebounders in the league. And everybody did it. Sam came back and helped me, Jaylon was excellent. It was a 1 through 5 effort tonight.” 

Dean Wade was just as good on both ends – stymying Jalen Brunson defensively, finishing with eight boards, three steals and a pair of swats while netting 11 points on 3-of-5 shooting from long-range.  Wade led Cleveland with a +22 plus/minus number in 24 exceptional minutes of work. Including Monday night, the Cavs improved to 40-16 with Wade in the starting lineup over the past two years. 

Evan Mobley continued to shake off the rust, rounding out the Cavs starters in double-figures with 12 points, seven rebounds and a steal.  

Jaylon Tyson led Cleveland’s second unit with 12 points and eight boards in the win, going 5-for-10 from the floor, adding a pair of assists, a block and a steal in 27 minutes of work off the bench. Dennis Schroder came off the bench to lead both teams with five assists. 

Brunson led New York with a quiet 20 points on 6-of-19 shooting. Mitchell Robinson led both teams with 16 boards, eight off the offensive glass. 

*** After smushing the Knicks on Tuesday night, the Cavaliers hit the road for three straight – beginning with a stop in Milwaukee on Wednesday night to complete the mid-week back-to-back. On Friday night, it’s another monster showdown, this with the East’s top squad when the Wine & Gold head to Motown for date with the Pistons before wrapping up the roadie on Sunday afternoon in Brooklyn to tip-off the month of March. On Tuesday night, it’s a rapid rematch with the Pistons at Rocket Arena before the Cavs get a nice four-day break.