NEW YORK CITY – Sunday afternoon was a sad preview of what Knick fans have to look forward to for the rest of the season. Without Carmelo Anthony for the rest of the 2nd half of the season, the Knicks are a team that lacks any type of star power. The Cleveland Cavaliers came into the Garden for the 2nd time this season, and completely dismantled the Knicks 101-83. New York’s lack of star power only enables them to compete for minutes at a time, not for the entire duration of a game. The Knicks do not have a rim protector, a defensive stopper (Now that Shumpert has been traded), nor a consistent scorer other than Anthony. This has all amounted to the dismal 10-45 record that they have right now.
In their first game back to the Garden since being traded, Iman Shumpert and JR Smith had good games. Shumpert finished with 4 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds; while Smith finished with 17 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds. Smith had a highlight reverse dunk that sent the Garden in a frenzy, off of a alley oop from Shumpert.
Kevin Love led the way for the Cavaliers with a double double (16 points, 16 rebounds). Lebron James had his typical great performance in the Garden, adding 18 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. In the end there was just too much firepower for Cleveland that New York simply could not handle.
Langston Galloway led Knick scorers with 13 points, and also adding 6 rebounds and 5 assists. All day, the Knicks struggled to score as they only shot 37% (37-99) from the field. They shot even worse from the 3 point line (3-19, 15%). Cleveland did not do a great job of defending, New York just did not make shots.
New York’s next opponent will be Wednesday night against the Boston Celtics (20-33). If they do not do a better job of making shots and guarding the paint, they may get blown out on the road.
Barry Holmes/Pure Sports NY