Live Thread: Cavs @ Knicks

Live Thread: Cavs @ Knicks

2019-11-10 Off By Nate Smith

The young Cavs look to beat a beatable team in the Big Apple. The 2-7 Knicks are led by a team of power forwards that can all score, but not exactly defend. Rookie R.J. Barrett is the most intriguing as he puts up 16/6/4, 40% from the feeld, and 36% from three. He’s mired in a 5-21 shooting slump over the last two days, so he’ll surely be looking to break out. Barrett’s been starting at point guard (of sorts) as the Knicks used a big starting lineup of Nkintla, Morris, Randle, Barrett, and Taj Gibson to beat the Mavericks in Dallas 106-102, Friday. Putting the clamps on him early will be key, but he also seems like the kind of athlete who can give the likes of Cedi Osman fits.

The Knicks are led by our old friend Marcus Morris, who’s putting up 19 a night with a hot 59 TS%. They also have 3 other forwards, Julius Randle, Bobby Portis, and Kevin Knox who put up double digits each game. As for the guards, Dennis Smith Jr. is returning to health, and I’ve no word on whether he’ll play tonight. Frank Nkintla is coming off a solid couple of games after a rough start to the season.

Key for the Cavs will be running on this big lineup and executing against double teams and switches. Let’s see if Darius Garland can continue his strong play of last game and if Collin Sexton can feed off the double teams Thompson and Love will probably draw. Also key will be staying together on the road, which has been an issue. The Cavs can this one, but it could be close.

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