Knicks Vs Cavaliers: Cavs pull away in 109-94 win in Cleveland
Knicks Vs Cavaliers — Donovan Mitchell scored 23 points and James Harden added 20 as the Cleveland Cavaliers pulled away in the second half for a 109-94 victory over the New York Knicks on Tuesday night, a result that left both teams tied for third place in the Eastern Conference at 37-22.
Mitchell and Harden finish off a late charge
CLEVELAND — Mitchell paced the Cavaliers with 23 points while Harden supplied 20 as Cleveland built a second-half margin that New York could not overcome. Jarrett Allen finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds. The win was Cleveland’s eighth in nine games.
Third quarter collapse sealed the Knicks’ fate
The Cavs held a 60-54 lead at halftime before taking control in the third quarter, outscoring the Knicks 23-11 and holding New York to 3 of 24 from the field in the period. Harden scored eight points in that quarter and Allen added six. The three-field-goal quarter was New York’s worst shooting quarter since it went 3 of 20 in the fourth quarter of a 2018 game against Boston. The Cavaliers last held an opponent to three or fewer field goals in a quarter last season against Minnesota (2 of 20).
Knicks offense sputtered from inside and out
Jalen Brunson scored 20 points and Mikal Bridges added 18 for New York, but the Knicks collectively shot 35 of 86. Brunson and Bridges were a combined 12 of 36, and New York made just 10 of 37 from 3-point range (27%). Cleveland had entered the game with the fourth-worst defense in the league on 3-pointers.
Standings and the tiebreaker picture
Both teams sit at 37-22 and are tied for third place in the Eastern Conference. New York would hold the head-to-head tiebreaker if the teams finish the season tied after taking two of three meetings between the clubs.
Runs, leads and what came next
Cleveland led 71-63 before ripping off a 13-2 run during a five-minute span late in the third and early in the fourth. The Cavaliers’ largest lead reached 98-78 midway through the fourth quarter before Cleveland closed to a 109-94 final.
The Cavaliers travel to Milwaukee on Wednesday to start a three-game road trip.
