Not A Recap: Cavs 119, Knicks 104 (or, Rolling With What They’ve Got)

Even without the Cavs making any moves at yesterday’s Trade Deadline, it was still a pretty exhausting day for many of us (so apologies for this delayed and brief quasi-recap). Fortunately, the Cavs themselves were well-rested and raring to go against the still intact Knicks last night at the Q. Carmelo Anthony and Derrick Rose (both the sources of trade speculation over the last few days and weeks) were still on the court in New York unis, and the Cavs were all there too, sans the injured Kevin Love and J.R. Smith. Cleveland had won their previous nine games against New York going into the night, and given where both teams were at going into the break, a 10th win seemed inevitable. The Cavs didn’t disappoint as they kept their February success rolling (now 8-1 for the month).

Things started off rough, though for the wine & gold, as poor defense and missed shots allowed the Knicks to run out to an early lead. However, the Cavs got it going to catch up and edge the Knicks by one to end the first quarter. Then, the LeBron, Kyle Korver and Wildcats (Channing Frye, Richard Jefferson and Derrick Williams) lineup helped push the lead out an 18 point margin with a dominant second quarter. The Cavs went on a 25-8 run to close the first half and just about put the Knicks away. New York made it somewhat interesting again when Anthony scored eight points in the third to pull his squad within eight points of the Cavs heading into the final frame. But, LBJ, KK and the Wildcats quickly pushed the lead back out to 19, and the Cavs rolled to an easy victory.

Highlights:

LeBron had a base 13 triple double (his sixth of the season) with 18 points (on 7-11 shots), 15 assists and 13 rebounds. Clearly the time off did him good, as he seemed energized in his playmaking, threw down several dunks, and absolutely deleted Courtney Lee on a chase down block.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz4tuJAlGnU

Kyrie scored 23 points on 9-16 shooting, and really had his midrange game going. He also chipped in six dimes (the Cavs had 29 on the night), and played some solid D on Derrick Rose.

Tristan Thompson was in Canadian Dynamite mode for most of the night. He had another double double with 10 points and 14 boards (six offensive… and five of which came in the first quarter alone). He also blocked four shots and was a very efficient deterrent at the rim.

Kyle Korver (aka Threezus… aka La Flama Blanca) continued his hot shooting coming out of the break with 20 points on 7-12 shooting (6-10 from downtown). He’s making threes at a scorching 64% clip in February now. But it’s not just his shooting… he’s doing it all with gritty defense, rebounds and assists as well, as reflected in his team high +27 last night.

The Wildcats are lit right now. Channing Frye, Richard Jefferson and Derrick Williams all contributed in a big way against the Knicks. While Frye had a bit of a rough start (missing his first five shots, and a few easy boards to boot), he came back to hit five of his next eight, and two key triples in the early stages of the fourth. RJ looked like his old self, making 5-6 (2-3 from deep), playing good defense and even throwing down another terrific dunk. DWill also rained a pair of threes and was 4-8 from the field in 27 strong minutes. He kicked off his second 10 day contract strong, and it bodes well for the Cavs keeping him the rest of the season.

Lowlights:

Iman Shumpert struggled in his first game back from being rumored to be on the trading block. Though it sounds like most of the calls were incoming ones, Shump still looked a bit shook that he might have been close to switching teams. He missed his first six shots, and wound up just 2-9 (1-6 from three) for five points. He did manage a couple of steals though.

Not really that big of a deal given the team was rested coming out of the break, but nobody else on the bench (outside of the three in the eight man rotation) played more than three minutes. While it might be understandable for McRae and Felder who haven’t contributed as much, it remains a conundrum that DeAndre Liggins doesn’t get a bit more run to help the defense in spots.

The Knicks mostly look like a team that has lost their way. Both of their veteran stars (Melo and DRose) are unwanted by management but are stuck there now until the summer at least, and their best young star, Kristaps Porzingis, suffered an ankle sprain in the second quarter and didn’t return. Oh, and their banned former star, Charles Oakley, was the personal guest of Dan Gilbert behind the bench at the game. Tough time to be a Knicks fan right about now.

Help on the way?

Though the Cavs made no moves at the deadline, there is speculation from most corners of the NBA that recently waived PG, Deron Williams, will make his way to Cleveland following the 48 hour waiver window. The other DWill could possibly be a Cav by sometime Saturday, and would certainly fill the hole at backup PG, giving the Cavs the playmaker they’ve been coveting. It’s also possible that the Cavs could sign another recent Maverick in Andrew Bogut, who was traded to Philadelphia at the deadline and subsequently bought out.

The Cavs take on the new look Chicago Bulls on Saturday night… although thankfully, Jimmy Butler is still wearing red instead of green.