Live Thread: Knicks @ Cavs

Tonight the New York Knicks come to the shores of Lake Erie for a key conference battle. This is the type of game that doesn’t necessarily grab headlines, but its importance will illuminate itself when the season ends. For the Cavs, this game is about keeping pace with the top of East. For the Knicks, it’s about starting to make a second half push into the playoff picture. So there’s plenty at stake in the dead of the season in late January.

On the injury front, it sounds like Rajon Rondo is a game time decision for the Cavs. Also, it seems like Lauri Markkanen escaped catastrophic injury and may even be back sooner than expected, which seem incredible after how he wrenched his ankle. For the Knicks, Kemba Walker will also be a game time decision, and they will be without Derrick Rose.

As for the game, the Cavs would do well to let Julius Randle and RJ Barrett chuck away and sell out to keep Walker, Immanuel Quickley, and Evan Fournier out of the paint. On offense, the Cavs should probably target mismatches against Fournier and Barrett, although Markkanen’s absence makes that a more difficult task. At the end of the day, as long as the Cavs bring the defensive intensity, they should be fine as the Knicks aren’t a good offensive team.

Tip off is scheduled for 7:00PM ET and the game will be broadcasted on Bally Sports Ohio/Great Lakes. GO CAVS!