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#CavsKnicks Game Preview - December 7, 2016

Game Summary

The Cavaliers will close out their three-game road trip on Wednesday night in the Big Apple when they face the New York Knicks. Tipoff from Madison Square Garden is at 8:00 p.m. (ET).

With Monday's 116-112 victory against the Raptors in Toronto, Cleveland improved to 14-5 and regained the top rank in the Eastern Conference.

Wine Jerseys

Everything You Need to Know
From where to catch all the action to Wednesday's game notes, Cavs.com has you covered.

FOX Sports Ohio, ESPN

WTAM 1100, 100.7 WMMS, 87.7 FM La Mega

Joe G. has your five keys to a victory.

Learn more about Wednesday's matchup.

Get into the conversation with other die-hards.

The Wine and Gold are 5-0 in their last five visits to The Garden. Overall, Cleveland has won seven straight games over New York, which includes a 117-88 win in the 2016-17 season opener.

During their seven straight wins over the Knicks, the Cavs’ defense has limited them to less than 90 points in six of those contests. They have outscored New York by an average of 12.5 points (98.9-86.4), holding them to a combined .390 shooting from field in the seven recent wins.

Cleveland hopes to have that same success on the defense end while their offense continues to flourish.

The Cavs are averaging 110.3 points this season (2nd in the East, 4th-best in NBA). They have scored at least 100 points in 16 of 19 games.

The new-look Knicks have started strong in their first season under the leadership of head coach, Jeff Hornacek, having won four in a row on their way to an 12-9 record.

New York's resurgence is due in large part to the stellar play of their lethal frontcourt tandem of Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis. Anthony leads the Knicks in scoring at 22.5 points to go along with 6.2 rebounds while Porzingis enters Wednesday's contest with averages of 20.6 points and 7.4 boards.

Where to Catch the Action

TV: FOX Sports Ohio, ESPN

Radio: WTAM 1100, 100.7 WMMS, 87.7 La Mega

For live in-game updates, follow @cavs, @CavsJoeG, @CavsFredMcLeod, @MrCavalier34, @CavsJMike and @chones22 on Twitter.

Probable Starters/Status Update*

#2 - Kyrie Irving

#14 - DeAndre Liggins

#23 - LeBron James

#0 - Kevin Love

#13 - Tristan Thompson

G

G

F

F

C

#25 Derrick Rose

#8 - Justin Holiday

#7 - Carmelo Anthony

#6 - Kristaps Porzingis

#9 - Kyle O’Quinn

Status Update: (Cavs) - Mo Williams, (NWT), J.R. Smith, (Left Knee Hyperextension, Out)

Status Update: (Knicks) - Joakim Noah, (Sprained Left Ankle, Probable), Courtney Lee, (Sprained Left Ankle, Questionable)

*Subject to change.

Taking a Bite out of the Big Apple

As mentioned, the Cavs have dominated the Knicks as of late, both at the World's Most Famous Arena and overall.

Overall, the Wine and Gold extended their win streak to seven games against Knicks with their season opening victory. In that 29-point win on October 25, the Cavs had 31 assists on 45 made field goals and made 13 three-pointers. Defensively, the Cavs had 12 steals, forced 18 Knick turnovers (converting them into 21 points) and held New York to 32-87 (.368) shooting from the field. The Cavs also outscored the Knicks in the paint, 52-28.

While Cleveland as a whole has controlled New York, the Wine and Gold have also enjoyed some superb individual performances against the Knicks.

Kyrie Irving is averaging 28.4 points inside Madison Square Garden (five games), his highest scoring average among all NBA arenas.

Kevin Love has notched a double-double in 12 of his last 14 games against New York, which include 20-10 games in each of the last three meetings.

LeBron James registered a triple-double (19 points, 14 assists, 11 rebounds, 32 minutes) in the Oct. 25th win against the Knicks, the first ever triple-double by a Cavs player on opening night and first in the NBA in a season opener since Jason Kidd on November 1, 2006. James also recorded a triple-double in the last meeting at Madison Square Garden, a 107-93 win on March 26, 2016 (27 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assist). In 22 career games at MSG, James is averaging 28.5 points on .495 shooting, including .387 from deep, 7.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 2.2 steals in 39.2 minutes.

Wednesday's matchup is the second of four meetings this season between the two teams (February 4 at NYK, February 23 at CLE).

On Deck

After Wednesday's game, the Cavaliers return home for their next three – beginning with a back-to-back against the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets next weekend at The Q followed by a mid-week home-and-home back-to-back against the Memphis Grizzlies. GET TICKETS | VIEW FULL SCHEDULE