NEW YORK– The Cavaliers (6-7) are taking on the Knicks (7-5) on Monday night, looking to avenge a 114-95 loss from Oct. 29.
When: 7:30 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports Ohio
Online: FoxSports Go
Radio: WTAM 1100 AM, WMMS 100.7 FM, La Mega 87.7 FM
Cavs Injuries: Isaiah Thomas (right hip– OUT), Tristan Thompson (left calf strain– OUT), Derrick Rose (left ankle sprain/soreness– OUT)
Knicks Injuries: Kristaps Porzingis, (sprained left ankle, contused right elbow– PROBABLE)
1.Wing defense
Last time these two faced off, Porzingis had a great night with 32 points, but it was Tim Hardaway Jr. who put on a clinic with 34 points. He shot 11-of-19 from the field and 5-of-10 from deep. The Cavs have struggled all season to defend wings and point guards, and it will likely be a combo of Jae Crowder and J.R. Smith on Hardaway. While Porzingis will get his pretty much every night, the Cavs can’t afford to let anyone else drop 30 points.
2. Derrick Rose still out
Head coach Tyronn Lue confirmed at shootaround today that Rose would still be out after reaggravating his left ankle injury. Iman Shumpert will continue to start in his place.
3. Transition defense
Lue talked at shootaround about the team needing to do a better job in transition defense this time around against the Knicks. He also noted that 10 of Hardaway’s first 14 points were in transition last go around. The Cavs have struggled to defend in transition and get out of the corners, so doing so will be big in stopping Hardaway and Porzingis.
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