NY Knicks: the Knicks are finally back home at MSG after All-Star weekend to face the Cleveland Cavaliers and rising star MVP Kyrie Irving. The Knicks started out slow allowing the Cavs to build an early lead. Jeremy Lin was no factor in the quarter, looking really sluggish as he suffered a bloody nose. The Knicks gave up 31 points to the Cavs in the first quarter, not getting it done on the defensive end.
Things started to heat up in 2nd quarter, as the Cavs Bobby Gibson knocked down back-to- back three pointers as the Knicks continued to struggle on the defensive end. It’s not what you expected from the Knicks after the mini-camp during the break. The Knicks were down 17 points to the Cavs with 2:41 left in the quarter. How do you allow the Cavs to come in to the Garden and put up 61 points in the first half?
At the begining of the 3rd quarter Tyson Chandler was the spark plug igniting the Knicks on the defensive end. Cutting the Cavs lead to four points early in the quarter, the Knicks would finally show some life, making the Cavs work on the defensive side. Again it was Steve Novack to the rescue, shooting the Knicks back into the lead from downtown 75 – 74. With 3:20 left in quarter, Novack had 15 points in the second half.
A much needed win for the Knicks as they head out on the road to face Boston on Saturday night, the Knicks won 120 to 103.
Vernon McKenzie