Yet handicapped by the absences of Jarret Allen and Lauri Markkanen, the Cavaliers thought they had knocked out the Knicks with a 3-point shot from Dean Wade. There were then nine minutes left to play and New York was on the ropes (86-71). Found on the outskirts by Darius Garland, the Cleveland shooter then set the room on fire with his shot.
But against all odds, Julius Randle and his band will display resources and give everything in a breathless end to the match. It’s the Grimes-Toppin duo who sign an 11-0, and everything has to be redone for Cleveland. Despite several opportunities to win after having equalized (91-91), New York will die just two points behind their opponent in the evening… with a last shot, very distant, missed by Julius Randle.
While Kevin Love had dazzled everyone in the 3rd quarter, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley will have been the strong men on the Cavaliers side of this magnificent “money time”. Despite the absences (Jarrett Allen and Lauri Markkanen this evening…), JB Bickerstaff’s men fully deserve their place in the Top 5 of the Eastern Conference.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The revival of Kevin Love. JB Bickerstaff was able to find the words and the ideal role for the former All-Star and the veteran found all his desire to play basketball. With disciplined and attentive young wolves by his side, the 2016 NBA champion instills a real culture of winning. Tonight, he scored 14 points in Act 3, including three consecutive award-winning shots to help his team create a first run…
– New York has not given up. It’s always so complicated to analyze the performance of the Knicks this season. Once again, they showed great things but, unfortunately, this team lacks consistency. While still in the game, they suffered a barrage of 3-pointers. Less aggressive on the ball carrier and less altruistic in attack, RJ Barrett’s teammates missed their end of the third act. Led by 15 points in the last act, the New Yorkers, carried by their young guard (Barrett, Toppin and Quickley) will inflict an 11-0 on their opponents in order to afford the chance to win at the end of the game. . Nevertheless, despite this nice comeback, Tom Thibodeau’s men lost, even if Julius Randle had several match points.
– The Cleveland Collective. With 29 assists for 35 baskets, the Cavaliers have once again proven that they like to score others. With Darius Garland at the helm, the Cavaliers showed real collective strength. This season, the Cavaliers love to share the ball. The goal is to always find the unmarked player in order to find a clean shot. Tonight, five players finished with more than 13 points, and it is ideal to compensate for the many absences.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ ⛔ Darius Garland. For the fifth time in a row, the leader of the Cavaliers ends a meeting with more than 10 assists (12 this evening). He equals a certain LeBron James. Admittedly, he does not yet have the influence of the King in this team, but tonight, despite a lack of skill (6/19), he will once again have been an architect of his team’s victory. Altruistic, he always attacks the intervals as well in order to distill caviar to his shooters. Kevin Love and Dean Wade feasted tonight. The absence of Jarrett Allen penalized him a little on his play on pick-and-roll, and he lost six balls, but his agreement with Evan Mobley is still precious for the Cavs.
✅ Evan Mobley. Orphan of Jarrett Allen in the racket, the rookie fought a good fight against Nerlens Noel and Julius Randle. He finished the game with 12 points and 15 rebounds. Young Mobley is growing up and all of Ohio is benefiting.
✅ Kevin Love. He only shot 3-pointers, but he did well! 6 of 12 from afar for the former All-Star, unleashed in the 3rd quarter. His joy of playing is a pleasure to see, and it rubs off on the whole group.
✅ RJ Barrett. He’s the Knicks’ strongman right now. As in the last games, he showed very good things. Aggressive towards the circle and able to take shots from a distance, he imposes himself more and more physically. Supported by Julius Randle in the money time, it is he who brings his team back into the match. He displays a leader mentality where some of his teammates hide. Undoubtedly the future of this franchise.
⛔Le duo Fournier/Walker. We expect more, and even much more from these two men. Like their season, they lack consistency, but also volume of play. We would like to see them more involved. It’s a shame because on paper this team from New York can achieve great things… but the reality is different.
THE FOLLOWING
Cleveland (29-19) : heavy with the reception Wednesday of the champion Milwaukee
New York (23-25) : Continuation of the road-trip with a trip to Miami on Wednesday.
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