Live Thread: Cavs vs Knicks

The Knicks come to town to night with our old friend Alec Burks leading the way, averaging a surprising 20 in his first three games. Sadly, he’s out tonight (ankle) , as this this turning into a battle of the walking wounded between these two squads. Joining Burks in NBA dress attire for the Knicks: Obi Toppin (calf), Immanuel Quickley (hip), Dennis Smith Jr. (calf), and Austin Rivers (groin).

For Cleveland the list is more worrisome. Kevin Love is out three weeks with strained calf. Playing him injured in the second game of a back-to-back when he went through double overtime the night before remains the team’s dumbest early season decision for an organization that has mostly avoided them.

Also concerning: Isaac Okoro has entered the NBA’s “health and safety protocol” and is out. This likely means he has either a positive Covid-19 test or reported an exposure. Hopeful he makes a quick and full recovery. Ice joins Dylan Windler (hand), Kevin Porter Jr (personal), Matthew Dellavedova (concussion).

Look for Dean Wade to get some more minutes at the backup four spot, and for the Cavs to use Dante Exum at multiple positions to fill in the gaps. Before the injuries, I expected the Knicks to use a game play to take away the Cavs strengths. Basically, I expected them to do what Detroit and Philly failed to do: play Andre Drummond one on one and not over-react to his gravity.

Much of the reason that the field goal percentage of Cavs’ guards and wings is so high is because teams are over-reacting to Drummond on the roll and in the post, and his gravity is creating a layup line for the Cavs ball-handlers (as is his defense when it feeds the transition). I expect the Knicks to be more disciplined, and I expect to see more Mitchell Robinson on Drummond than the wiry Nerlens Noel.

Also interesting to see: whether the Knicks dissect the Cavs’ zone with hot outside shooting like they did in the pre-season. Personally, I am expecting a bit of a regression for before the coming road trip Cleveland as they and their fans may have been reading too much of their own press, and guys like Frenchie Long Arms (Fank Ntilikina) have killed them when pressed into duty in the past.

Let’s hope the Cavs can overcome the disease of more, and better coaching than they’ve faced so far now that Thibs has three games worth of film to look at. Should be a fun one!