The schedule makers for the NBA make the beginning of the season difficult. Six games in less than two weeks when all you have been doing is preparing for the season is tough. So as the Knicks showed for three quarters yesterday, they were the more prepared team.
But the fourth quarter belonged to the Cavaliers as they outshot the Knicks 35-17 in that time to pull away and make an almost sure loss another victory, 121-108. With the win, the Cavs are 5-1 on this young season. The Knicks are 3-3.
The three-headed three point monster of KLove, Mitchell, and Dean Wade accounted for 22 made threes in 34 attempts. The Cavs as a team were 23 of 50 for an amazing 46%. As the Knicks packed the paint, the Cavs started their #Cavalanche from beyond the arc in the fourth.
Donovan Mitchell and Kevin Love BALLED OUT tonight for the @cavs.
Mitchell: 38 PTS, 3 REB, 12 AST, 8 3PM
Love: 29 PTS, 8 REB, 8 3PM🎯🎯🎯 pic.twitter.com/rMwrMyJ9Hc
— NBA (@NBA) October 31, 2022
Mitchell had 38, which matches his amazing play so far, Kevin had 29 in 22 minutes, and Dean Wade tossed in 22 to lead the Wine and Gold. Randle, Brunson, Fournier and Barrett all had at least 15 points for the Knicks.
“To be honest with you, we only played one good quarter…and it was the fourth!”
JB Bickerstaff was blunt in his observation on his team Sunday evening. Down 93-84 to start the final frame, the Cavaliers needed a strong quarter. But both teams couldn’t score early.
But after two minutes of teams missing shots and getting turnovers, Love hits a trey to open the scoring. After a Knicks bucket, Mitchell and Love get five quick points to get the Cavs within three. Then, Derrick Rose gets four points himself to push the lead to seven. But back to back threes from Love and Mitchell, where Mitchell’s was a four point play, and the Cavs found themselves down by only one.
Enter Kevin Love!
Turning Point
Courtesy of Bally Sports Cleveland
Barrett for the Knicks had just hit a running layup to put the Knicks up 101-100. After the basket, the Cavs came down and as JB mentioned in his presser, did a good job of finding space for Love all night. From the top left of the three-point arc, Kevin launched a three that found nothing but net and was fouled falling down. The And-1 four point play put the Cavs up for good.
Kevin Love, after the game, was asked about his four point play and the feeling in Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse after he hit the free throw.
“Those are the moments!”
The fans went ballistic! The Cavaliers took the lead for good and cruised to the end. Every player saw time on the floor for the Cavs last night.
First Quarter
J.B. Bickerstaff sits down with @CavsJMike to discuss how the @cavs' front court has been playing with one another so far this season.
The head coach goes on to give insight on how the team plans on controlling the tempo in tonight's game.#LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/CTdVzczfX2
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) October 30, 2022
Coach Bickerstaff gave his clues to how the Cavs needed to play Sunday against the Knicks and it mostly centered on controlling the tempo. And even though the Cavs ended the quarter with a 35-30 lead, coach was disappointed in the defense. But a lead is still impressive as Mitchell hit for 15 and Wade was perfect from the field for 10 points himself.
Second Quarter
It was a balanced quarter for both squads. The Knicks tallied 29 while the Cavs hit 27 points but the end of the half still showed a 62-59 Cavalier advantage.
Third Quarter
Then, the Knicks went scorching hot while the Wine and Gold went arctic cold. By the end of the quarter, the men for the Land faced a nine point deficit.
Seven different Knicks scored in the quarter as Jalen Brunson played the entire quarter and hit for 12 points. Julius Randle and Isaiah Hartenstein pulled down 10 boards together in the third. But that only set the stage for the fourth quarter magic.
WHOA!
In the Cavaliers' win today, Donovan Mitchell and Kevin Love each made 8 threes, and Dean Wade chipped in with 6 of his own.
Their 22 combined 3-pointers are the most by a trio of teammates in a game in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/xzJfORmsW0
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 31, 2022
In the history of the NBA, never had three teammates accounted for 22 made treys! Not even the Warriors with Curry and Clay!
Kevin-isms
During his press conference, Kevin, the old man, had a few choice statements. On the impact Donovan Mitchell has had this year:
“Donovan elevates us to another place!”
On the number of threes the Cavaliers lifted on the night:
“50 threes is a lot! But so are 23 makes!”
Genius!
The Junkyard Chain goes to…Mr. Wade!
Dean the Junkyard Dog 🐶@ThatsJared | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/Ko7qrX5Nks
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) October 31, 2022
Schedule!
Next game is Wednesday at 7:30PM against the Celtics, who will be looking for revenge! Tickets available here, courtesy of Seat Geek!
Recent Comments