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. 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.
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.
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.
Game Notes
James had scored 50 or more points in two of his previous three visits to the
Garden...The Cavaliers (4-3) didn't suffer their fourth loss last season until
December 13. The team has already lost twice at home this season to match the
total from all of 2008-09 (39-2)...New York closed out a four-game homestand
at 1-3 Friday...Six members of the World Series champion New York Yankees were
in attendance, including third baseman Alex Rodriguez, pitcher CC Sabathia,
first baseman Mark Teixeira. Former Yankees great Reggie Jackson was also in
attendance.
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