Game Summary
The Cleveland Cavaliers (24-54) and New York Knicks (51-27) are meeting for the third and final time of the 2012-13 regular season. Tipoff at Quicken Loans Arena is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET.
In the two teams' last meeting, Mo Speights, who made his first and only start with Cleveland, led five Cavs in double figures with a season-high 23 points and eight rebounds in 32 minutes despite a Wine and Gold loss.
The Cavs will look to avenge that loss by continuing their aggressiveness at the defense end. Cleveland has 30 total blocks in the last four games for an average of 7.5 a night. They have swatted at least seven shots in each of those games.
New York comes into tonight's contest having lost in overtime last night in Chicago. The 118-111 loss snapped the Knicks 13-game winning streak.
In the loss, Carmelo Anthony, grabbed a season-high 19 rebounds to go along with a game-high 36 points. Anthony has been on fire as of late, averaging 39.8 points in his last six games.
Probable Starters/Injury Report* presented by Cleveland Clinic
Injuries: (Cavs) - C.J. Miles, (Forehead Laceration/Concussion, Out), Daniel Gibson, (Sore Right Elbow, Out), Luke Walton, (Sore Right Ankle, Out), Anderson Varejao, (Vastus Medialis Split/Surgery, Out)(Knicks) - Kenyon Martin, (Sprained Left Ankle, Out), Amar’e Stoudemire, (Right Knee Debridement, Out), Tyson Chandler, (Bulging Disc, Out), Rasheed Wallace, (Fractured Left Fifth Metatarsal, Out), Marcus Camby, (Left Plantar Fasciitis, Doubtful)
*Subject to change
Head-to-Head Matchup
The Knicks lead the Cavaliers in the all-time series 81-105 including a 66-27 mark in games played in New York, but the Cavaliers have a 54-39 advantage playing at home. Cleveland has won 10 of their last 11 home games over the Knicks dating back to 2007.
The last time these two teams squared off on March 4 at The Q, the Cavs shot .507 (37-73) from the field, including a season-high .684 (26-38) in the first half.
STATS Fun Fact
Key to the Game/Key Matchup
Key to the Game
Defending the Three-Point Line
The Cavs’ defense has been solid over the last four games, holding opponents to a combined .420 shooting from the field and just .224 (15-67) from beyond-the-arc. The Wine and Gold will have to continue that trend against the Knicks, especially when defending the three-point line.
Much of the Knicks' offense is predicated on their outside shooting. In fact, New York enters tonight's game having knocked down a league-leading 847 triples.
Cleveland should look to close out hard on outside shooters in hopes of forcing New York off the three-point line.
Key Matchup
Cavs Bench vs. Knicks Bench
As documented in the Injury Report, New York is banged up and will have a lot of guys playing extended minutes. With the Knicks lineup deleted, expect the reserves to be a key matchup tonight.
Cleveland’s bench is averaging 36.2 points since Wayne Ellington and Mo Speights played their first game as Cavaliers on January 25th. That mark is the 2nd-most in the Eastern Conference over that stretch, trailing only the Knicks (44.8).
In the two teams' last matchup, Luke Walton set a career-high with 12 assists in 29 minutes off the bench.
The Wine and Gold's focus will be on "Six Man of the Year" candidate, J.R. Smith. Smith is scoring 24.9 over his last 11 games.
Promotions/Giveaways