The Cleveland Cavaliers came into Madison Square Garden tonight and ended the New York Knicks eight game winning streak. This game was all New York in the first half, but in the second half Jarrett Jack put on a show to give the Cavaliers this win. He took advantage of the pick and roll every time down and that really was the difference tonight. Jack racked up 31 points and ten assists tonight in what was his best performance of the season. And to no surprise Jack’s 31 points were a season high.
Another Cavalier that played a strong game was Dion Waiters. He was very important tonight because he gave Cleveland secondary scoring. He continues to play very well for them in the starting role and that was the case again tonight. His play allows the Cavaliers to have a more balanced offense that could really score. Tonight Jack and Waiters led the Cavaliers to a very nice win.
In the Knicks case tonight this was an awful loss. They had a chance to make up a game on the Atlanta Hawks and instead drop a game back now. They had a tough task to battle into the playoffs, but tonight’s loss makes that task much tougher.
The first half was really strong for New York. This was an absolute collapse by the Knicks tonight. Their offense was just as poor as the defense. They couldn’t score in the fourth quarter at all. The ball movement seen in the first half was gone. Carmelo Anthony was no where to be found in the fourth quarter as he was held without a field goal the entire quarter. He was strong early, but the Cavaliers were able to play up into him and that forced him into contested jump shots. Anthony did finish with 32 points, but in a loss, this was a very depressing performance.
Overall the Knicks just could make the adjustments to keep up with the Cavaliers. The pick and roll was constantly exploited by Cleveland and they ran it over and over again. Raymond Felton had a very strong first half, but his defense in the second half was very poor. He was unable to get over screens and that led to open shots for Jack.
The Knicks have to move on from this loss. They now are headed out on the road for the next five games where they will be tested. This is the season right here for New York. They will either get back on track and save their season or continue to lose and end their season early.
Tonight the poor defense came back to haunt the Knicks. They will continue to play some under .500 teams over the next week. Each of those game will be very important for them.
Photo Credit: Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
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