New York, NY (Sports Network) - LeBron James recorded game bests of 33 points
and nine assists to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to their sixth straight win
over the Knicks with a 100-91 victory at Madison Square Garden.
New York lost all four matchups with Cleveland last year, while the Cavaliers
have won six straight and 10 of the past 13 meetings. The Cavs are also
unbeaten in their last four trips to Madison Square Garden.
James also hauled in eight rebounds for the Cavs, who have won three of four.
Mo Williams added 12 points and Daniel Gibson 11 in the win.
"This building is very special," James said of MSG. "We had to come in here
and do the things we had to do to get the win."
Anderson Varejao grabbed 14 boards to go with eight points, while Zydrunas
Ilgauskas had 11 caroms and nine points.
David Lee poured in 21 points and grabbed six rebounds for the Knicks, who
fell to 1-5 on the year. Danilo Gallinari chipped in 17 points and former Cavs
guard Larry Hughes 18 with five boards and four helpers in defeat. Al
Harrington added 14 points and Wilson Chandler 11 with six boards.
Trailing by 19 points late in the game, the Knicks made a valiant effort.
Harrington and Gallinari hit consecutive three-pointers, and then a basket
each to close it to 91-82 with 3:44 left to play.
"It's tough with those big guys they have, you just have to do your best to
stay attached to them," said Lee. "We do it in spurts...we were very
aggressive the last two quarters."
Williams, though, responded with a jumper and James added a fadeaway to
give the visitors a 13-points edge.
New York failed to get closer than the final margin.
"We don't like the way we finished that game," said Cleveland head coach Mike
Brown. "The defensive effort and the focus is not where it needs to be on a
nightly basis. I'll take the win, I'm happy with that...I just don't like the
way we finished."
James scored 19 points in the first quarter to lead the Cavs to a 40-21 lead
after 12 minutes of play. Cleveland kept pushing and opened a 63-40 lead at
the intermission.
Trailing by 25 points early in the third, Chandler hit a jumper then added a
three before Hughes and Lee offered baskets to close it to 67-51.
The visitors opened a 77-58 advantage headed to the final frame.
