CLEVELAND — The Knicks saved it nearer. Simply not shut sufficient.
After getting waxed by the Cavaliers of their earlier matchup in February, the Knicks led by double digits within the first half Wednesday earlier than being pummeled by Cleveland within the third quarter and letting go of the rope in a 124-105 defeat.
The Knicks dropped to 0-8 in opposition to the NBA’s three prime groups — the Cavaliers, Thunder and Celtics — however coach Tom Thibodeau pushed again on the concept they will’t overcome one of the best.
“Clearly the nice groups, they’re going to have data like that in opposition to different groups. It’s a must to play rather well to beat them. And we perceive that,” Thibodeau stated. “However you even have to have a look at all of the elements that go into it. Is it a back-to-back? Have they got two days of relaxation? What’s their scenario?
“We’re able to beating anybody. We’re able to shedding to anybody, too.”
As Thibodeau indicated, Wednesday had the makings of a schedule loss whatever the opponent.
The Knicks arrived in Cleveland on the second evening of a back-to-back, having dispatched the Sixers at MSG on Tuesday.
Jalen Brunson traveled however remained sidelined with a sprained ankle.
The Cavs, in the meantime, had two days off at house earlier than dealing with the Knicks.
They had been absolutely wholesome and driving a stretch of 4 wins of their previous 5 contests.
So it was an uphill battle for the Knicks. And it caught up with them.
After main by as many as 15 factors, they had been overwhelmed as Mikal Bridges turned passive offensively (simply eight factors on six pictures in 36 minutes), Karl-Anthony Cities turned turnover-happy (he dedicated seven) and Donovan Mitchell proved unstoppable (27 factors on 10-of-18 capturing in simply half-hour with three blocks).
The turning level was with about three minutes remaining within the second quarter, when Cities and OG Anunoby each picked up their third foul and had been subbed out.
The Cavs shortly launched a 21-10 run spanning halftime to take the lead.
The Knicks misplaced their momentum.
“It modified the entire outlook of the sport,” Josh Hart stated. “Whenever you’re already down three rotation guys [Brunson, Miles McBride and Cam Payne were all injured]. Two extra mainly are out of the sport due to fouls, it modified the entire outlook. We had been nonetheless up at that time. Received to only give them credit score. That’s a very good staff. They’re No. 1 within the East for a motive. Received to tip your cap to them at occasions.”
The loss dropped the Knicks to 0-3 in opposition to the Cavaliers (61-15), with a ultimate head-to-head on April 11 at MSG.
By that time, each side could have doubtless locked up a playoff seed and fasten little significance to the end result.
So Wednesday was the final alternative for the Knicks (48-28) to point out they may grasp with the highest staff within the East.
They failed.
Not like their 37-point drubbing to the Cavs in February, nevertheless, the Knicks began scorching because the aggressor with a double-digit benefit within the first quarter.
However the benefit disappeared after halftime, when the Cavaliers shot 17-of-21 – together with 15-for-15 on 2-pointers — to take a six-point lead into the ultimate quarter.
New York couldn’t cease the bleeding. Jarrett Allen added 21 factors on 10-of-11 capturing from the sector as Cleveland made 53.2 p.c of its makes an attempt.
“After they began occurring that run, it was robust to stabilize or form of sluggish issues down and get us again right into a rhythm,” Hart stated.
The Knicks carried the load of prior disappointments in opposition to the Thunder, Cavaliers and Celtics.
These outcomes — which included a number of blowout defeats — sapped a lot of the surface enthusiasm for actual title competition, leaving the Knicks a stage beneath the higher crust and hovering nearer to “pretender” standing.
That didn’t change Wednesday.
However they didn’t appear discouraged.
“It’s 0-0 once you get to [the playoffs]. That will be the inform,” Cities stated. “I don’t assume something proper now ought to smash our confidence or make this staff really feel every other approach however extraordinarily assured with the work we put in.”
