Live Thread: Knicks @ Cavs
2018-12-12The Cavs played a rough one two nights ago against the Bucks losing by 16. The Bucks didn’t even have their number one player, Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Knicks are a good team for the Cavs to try and get a bounce back win against.
New York currently sits above the Cavs with two more wins, but they certainly aren’t better. They are riding the submarine to the bottom of picks trench too. Kristaps Porzingis is still out for them with his ACL injury. Tim Hardaway Jr. leads them in scoring with 21.5 per night; however, he’s essentially just a starting version of Jordan Clarkson. Their rookie Kevin Knox is putting up just nine points a game. Enes Kanter is probably their best player getting 14.9 points and 11.5 boards per game this season, but he comes off the bench. *Tonight he’s starting though.*
The Cavs will be without Tristan Thompson because of a foot sprain. He was having a career season putting up 12 points and 11.6 boards per game. David Nwaba and Kevin Love remain out too. *Nwaba is back tonight.*
The Knicks are missing Trey Burke and Courtney Lee. Both of those players provided steady ball handling and poise on the floor.
Thing To Watch
1. With Tristan out, Larry Nance will get the start most likely. The Cavs should look to run the offense through him. He’s leading the Cavs in assists and he should help boost their offensive efficiency when he’s on the floor. He can pick out open guys when Larry Drew places him at the elbows with the ball.
2. However, he will need to remain effective defensively. He will cover Enes at some points, and he must not get into foul trouble. Enes is crafty and can get points if he isn’t managed properly. He has some of the best old school post moves in the league.
3. With that being said, the Cavs may run some five out groups tonight with Channing Frye at the five. They have to, right? He’s their only other big man. If he does play, the team may get some easy baskets at the rim as the Knicks try to chase him from the 3-line.
4. Collin Sexton had an awful shooting night against the Bucks using 18 shots to get 15 points. He’s going to have a tough challenge again this evening; the Knicks run Emmanuel Mudiay and Frank Ntlilkiba at the point spot. Both of them are above 6’5”. Collin needs to use screens properly this game and get to the rim because his mid-range shot may not be open against these guards. They can easily catch up from behind for some blocks.
The Knicks are one of the few teams the Cavs can beat and the Cavs know that. They’re going to hustle tonight for a win, 121-105.
Bad decision Nwaba…
Dumb foul nwaba
Clarkson should’ve finished that… great pass Delly.
Starting to appreciate Clarkson’s inside play…
CLARKSON WITH THE FINISH!!!
Clarkson a bit too unselfish
He saw the cut but Nwaba did not until late. JC had made up his mind already.
NANCE TO CLARKSON!!! GREAT PASS!
Great pass! Clarkson to blossomgame for a dunk.
At least this team plays hard. Should be an entertaining 4th.
Damn. Blew that 7 pt lead we had at the end of the quarter.
Knicks went to another level defensively that 3rd quarter.
Cavs gotta keep making extra pass. Use aggression against them.
Cripes. Starters were garbage. More I see of Burks the less I Like him.
I’m not a fan either. They move like mud when he’s in
He was great the 1st half… Knicks played better defense and lack of chemistry hurt the Cavs.
We didn’t get calls out way
Would love to take on Courtney Lee to get a shot at Frankie long arms.
Delly to Nance to anyone is such a great p/r
DELLY TO NANCE TO CLARKSON!!!
God I missed Delly
So Knicks just drag on Cavs jerseys
GREAT DEFENSE NANCE!!!
Guys learning defense from Delly. I like it
Yessssss!
NWABA FADE AWAY!
Nwaba
NICE PASS DELLY! NICE DRIVE AND FINISH NWABA!
Good recovery. Good to see Blossomgame get some run.
Kanter is a problem.
C.mon Cavs , stop doing stupid things
Man… nice read by Sexton, Nance got caught in between passing and shooting.
Like how Sexton didn’t get discouraged by the two missed threes and comes back and gets two buckets
KNICKS RAGE TO!!!
NANCE FOR THREE!!!!
Nance! Shoot it with confidence!
CLARKSON RHYTHM JUMPER!
SEXTON WITH THE FLOATER!!!!! He’s been practicing that!
SEXTON WITH THE REBOUND AND FINISH!!! AMONG THE TREES!!!
Nance with another dime.
Sexton with a great o. Board and finish
CEDI DRIVE AND FINISH!!!
Nice hustle Sexton and Nance on defense.
Larry with nice hustle.
RAN OFFENSE FOR HOOD = BUCKET
Lead gone.
Time for Delly, Nance, Clarkson, & Nwaba.
Oy… terrible start to the half. They need to run offense for Hood.
This lineup just not getting it done
This crowd is off…Knicks with a great couple of minutes, no atmosphere.
Lordacious Sexton fouled twice. No call.
Terrible decision Cedi. And defensive rebounding not there.
Everyone trying to get their numbers instead of running offense
Yup, gotta get Nance/Delly in there to get the ball moving
Burks can’t shoot
HOOD WITH THE DRIVE AND FINISH!
Ughh Burks uuuuugly!
Terrible offensive set ran on that opening possession. Rage TO Drew.
Set was fine. Burks’ decision making wasn’t.
Yezus. Nice to. Frye wide open and Burks goes up with that garbage.
Longo sounds like an 8th grader giving a book report.
Lol Celtics down by 9 at half to the Wizards..
WAS THINKING THE SAME ON CEDI—LET HIM COME OFF THE BENCH WITH DELLY —–
Missed the first half but caught a bit in the radio. Sounds like a fun half.
Sexton’s finishing around the rim tonight… big difference from his averages.
So far, Sexton > Knox…. Knox can’t create his own shot off the dribble… he’s a spot up shooter, and I don’t think his defense is all that great.
I agree with what EG/Nate said on the podcast re: Cedi – it just looks like he’s trying to force things offensively and do too much. Might be a good idea to switch Nwaba in for Cedi in the starting lineup. This would allow Cedi to get more run with Delly and allow Cedi to get the ball in better spots, rather than having to create on his own.
I agree… but also it’s a problem with his role. Cedi should be handling the ball in PnR and driving to then rim… they’re trying to make him a spot up shooter and he sucks at that so far this year. He’s not getting the open looks he got last year because of LeBron.
Yeah or he’s getting the ball in iso and just taking off the dribble long 2s.. not efficient
Eh. He’s missed a ton of open looks
Cavs playing great defense, but the 3pt shot is keeping the Knicks in it.
THINK YOU MIGHT SEE BLOSSOMGAME MORE FOR JONES THE 2ND HALF
Delly is a good fit next to any of our guards. Clarkson especially. But Sexton & Burks as well. (I consider Hood more of a 3).
His unselfish play is infectious… great influence on Sexton and Clarkson.
Sexton careless with the ball at the end of the half. But he and Hood are on fire.
Bench was dominant.
Just need to replicate the 1st half, and it should be an easy win!!!
WAS HOPING THIS WOULD BE THE GAME CEDI GETS UNTRACKED AGAIN ——–SAW DELLY HAS MORE PTS IN 2 GAMES THAN THE ENTIRE SEASON WITH THE BUCKS—-THINK THEY DE VALUED / UNDERUTILIZED HIM —–THAT’S OK WE WILL KEEP HIM / LET HIM PLAY / LOVE HIM !!
Sexton gets stripped on two drives at the end of the half there. Hopefully he’ll keep working on that as he gets stronger.
Crap. Down to 11. Still a good half.
Sexton wasn’t strong with the ball, couldn’t make the pass. Two bad possessions. Needed to get Hood shots, he was hot.
Bad shots Cedi and Clarkson…. didn’t run offense.
Sexton’s shooting is really promising
FRYE TO SEXTON FOR THREE!!!!!!! UNSELFISH PLAY FRYE!
Sexton heat check… misses… CLARKSON COAST TO COAST!!!