Cavaliers Don’t Break A Sweat; Knock Out Knicks 118-82

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap

Team Dysfunctional The Next Generation otherwise known as the New York Knicks were schooled by the Cleveland Cavaliers Wednesday night at the Q Arena, as Cleveland won in a rout 118-82. This game was virtually over before the end of the first quarter, as the “New Look Knicks” could not get the game done on either end of the floor. The Cavaliers walked into the locker room at the half with an almost insurmountable lead. The team from Gotham did not even come close to getting back into the game in the last 24 minutes of play.

It is almost hard to believe that the New York Knicks were 6-4 in the first 10 games of the campaign. That of course was before Knickerbockers Team President Donnie Walsh decided to trades that broke up what ever chemistry had evolved with the survivors of the Isiah Thomas Era. Walsh sent their most consistent player Jamal Crawford to Golden State for disgruntled veteran forward Al Harrington. Hours later he sent Randolph and guard Mardy Collins to the L.A. Clippers for Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas.

The reason behind the deals? Freeing up salary cap space in 2010. So what Walsh did was break up a successful team for possible success in 2010. With the Knicks finally being a team that looked like it could possibly do some damage in the Eastern Conference this season, he blew that up for a chance to land a big name free agent in 2010. For Knicks fans that must have been like taking a cupcake out of a starving persons hands with the promise that they would do their best to get you cake and ice cream in two years!

The Knicks looked good Sunday night as they defeated another lottery bound team the Golden State Warriors by playing run and gun Phoenix style ball. They tried to do it Tuesday night against an elite team, the Portland Trail Blazers, and they looked good for 3 quarters. Their legs wore out in the fourth quarter, and they lost 104-97.

New York looked fatigued in the first quarter in Cleveland Wednesday night, and the Cavaliers took full advantage of it as they led 31-20 at the end of the period. Things only got worse for the Knickerbockers in the second quarter, as they looked totally out of rhythm and Cleveland led 61-35 at the half. Cleveland 85-59 at the end of the third quarter. Even in 12 minutes of garbage time in the fourth the Knicks were out scored 33-23.

LeBron James showed no love towards the franchise that plays at MSG as he had a game high 21 points, 6 assists, 5 steals, 5 rebounds, 1 block, in just 28 minutes of playing time. Mo Williams scored 16 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, center Zydrunas Ilgauskas recorded a double-double, 14 points, 10 boards, 1 assist. Daniel Gibson came off the bench with 13 points, 5 assists, 3 steals, 1 rebound, 1 block. Delonte West added 12 points, 3 steals, 3 rebounds, 1 assist.

Al Harrington led the Knickerbockers with 20 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists. Anthony Roberson had a good game off the bench as he had 19 points, 4 assists, 3 steals, 2 rebounds, David Lee had another strong effort credited with a double-double, 16 points, 16 boards, 3 assists, 2 steals. Wilson Chandler scored 12 points, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 assist. The Cavaliers remain undefeated on their home court, their record is now 15-3, the Knicks fall to 8-10.

Updates, Fresh From the Oven, Straight to Your Inbox