Big dud in Big Apple: Cleveland Cavaliers offense sputters in loss to New York Knicks

Jeffrey Bernstein
·2 min read
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) looks to pass while being defended by New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley (5) and center Isaiah Hartenstein, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) looks to pass while being defended by New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley (5) and center Isaiah Hartenstein, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
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NEW YORK — Jalen Brunson scored 23 points and the New York Knicks snapped a five-game home losing streak with a 92-81 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night at Madison Square Garden.

The Knicks never trailed in the game as they held an opponent under 100 points for the first time this season.

Julius Randle scored 18 points and RJ Barrett added 15 as New York held the Cavaliers to a season-low point total and field goal percentage of 34.9%.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, left, is defended by New York Knicks guards Quentin Grimes (6) and Miles McBride (2) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in New York. The Knicks won 92-81. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, left, is defended by New York Knicks guards Quentin Grimes (6) and Miles McBride (2) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in New York. The Knicks won 92-81. (AP Photo/John Munson)

Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 23 points and Darius Garland had 17.

Brunson’s three-point play gave the Knicks a game-high 18-point lead, 37-19, with 7:08 remaining in the second quarter.

The Cavaliers scored the next six points, and then after another Brunson bucket, ended the second quarter on an 18-7 run to pull within 46-43 at halftime.

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, left, dribbles around Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in New York. The Knicks won 92-81. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, left, dribbles around Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in New York. The Knicks won 92-81. (AP Photo/John Munson)

New York scored the first five points of the third quarter and extended its lead to as many as 12. Cleveland cut the deficit to six, but still trailed 71-63 after three quarters.

The Knicks went up by as many as 13 points in the final quarter, but Mitchell’s slam cut the lead to 86-81 with just over two minutes remaining.

Brunson answered with a baseline jumper, Randle followed with a dunk and Brunson hit two free throws to end the scoring.

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, top, and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love fight for the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in New York. The Knicks won 92-81. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, top, and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love fight for the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in New York. The Knicks won 92-81. (AP Photo/John Munson)

Immanuel Quickley (12) and Isaiah Hartenstein (10) added double-digit scoring for the Knicks, while Mitchell Robinson had a game-high 13 rebounds.

Evan Mobley totaled 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers.

New York Knicks forward Julius Randle, left, defends against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Knicks forward Julius Randle, left, defends against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)

Tip-ins

Cavaliers: Forward Dean Wade will be out approximately 3-4 weeks after sustaining a left shoulder injury in the first half of Friday night’s win over Orlando. … Cleveland is allowing the fewest points per game in the NBA this season. … Evan Mobley is the only Cav to start all 24 games this season.

Knicks: New York had lost four straight games to the Cavaliers, including all three meetings last season. The Knicks had not beaten Cleveland since January 21, 2021 (102-81).

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert, left to right, center Robin Lopez and New York Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein chase after a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert, left to right, center Robin Lopez and New York Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein chase after a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)

Third-quarter woes

In their five-game home losing streak, the Knicks had been outscored 180-130 in the third quarter. In Sunday’s victory, they outscored the Cavs 25-20.

Up next

Cavaliers: Host the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.

Knicks: Host the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Donovan Mitchell's 23 points for Cavs, held under 100 for first time