Live Thread: Cavs @ Knicks

The Cavs are in the Madison Square Garden to take on the Knicks tonight in an NBA Saturday night national game. The King and friends will be looking to build off a solid 28 point win against the Timberwovles on Wednesday. 37 of their 48 made baskets were assisted on. The team moved the ball and looked like they enjoyed playing with one another for the first time in nearly a month.

In January, the Cavs went less than .500. They were just 2-5 on the road. Tonight kicks off a four game road trip and Cleveland should be looking to rebound. The Knicks are 4-6 in their last ten. They are facing some turmoil with Carmelo Anthony being on the trading block. Derrick Rose is also out for his fourth straight game. The Cavs are without J.R. Smith, who is still recovering from thumb surgery.

Thing To Watch
1. The Cavs need to remember that passing the ball is how they can really build a lead. Against the Wolves, they trusted the pass and things worked out. They didn’t build a huge lead until the third, but they didn’t resort to iso ball at any point.
2.They need to keep playing defense all night. This game is going to set the tone for their whole road trip.
3.Carmelo is angling for a trade, maybe even to Cleveland. Expect him to try and show the Cavalier brass why he’s worth bringing to the team. Kristaps Porzingis probably thought with Derrick Rose out he’d have a little bit of chance to show how effective he is in clutch time situations, that’s not happening tonight.
4.Porzingis is still a beast though and with Kevin Love out, Tristan Thompson is going to have to do his best to prevent him from getting easy put-back dunks, and from protecting the rim by being a pain to box out at all times.

The Cavs should pick up a win tonight, but I’m more interested in seeing if they do it with offense or defense. Cleveland 124-100.

*Kyrie Irving will miss the game because of right quad soreness. LeBron is on his own.

*Kevin Love is playing tonight. I misread the reports.