 New York's Othella Harrington helps slam the Cavs. 56k | 300k |
Charlie Ward added 12 points off the bench for New York, which never trailed as it won for the first time since a season-opening home victory over Washington on October 30. All three losses were on the road.
"We needed this win tonight to boost our morale," Sprewell said. We have to start somewhere."
The Knicks have won seven straight regular-season home games and 15 of 16 dating to last season. They have beaten Cleveland six of the last eight meetings in New York.
Andre Miller scored 15 points and Lamond Murray added 12 and 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers (1-5), who have lost three straight games.
The Knicks held Cleveland to 31 percent (24-of-77) shooting, the first time they have held an opponent below 40 percent from the floor.
"The 31 percent shooting really hurt us tonight, especially when we had good shots and good looks," Cavaliers coach John Lucas said.
"We did a good job in the second half of guarding the paint," Sprewell said. "Our transition `D' made up for our offensive points tonight."
Despite the win, the Knicks were outrebounded, 47-41.
"We didn't protect the paint too much tonight," New York coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "If we don't start doing a better job guarding the inside and grabbing rebounds, it's going to be tough to stay in games."
Former NBA great Magic Johnson was courtside. Exactly 10 years ago, the part owner of the Los Angeles Lakers and future Hall of Famer stunned the sports world by announcing he had tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
The Knicks scored the first eight points of the second half to extend their lead to 47-34. After Cleveland responded with eight straight points, former Cav Clarence Weatherspoon and Mark Jackson led a 12-0 surge to give the Knicks a 59-42 cushion with 2:04 remaining.
"We started sloppy and I wasn't happy with the way we played," Van Gundy said. "We started strong in the third quarter, which was the difference in the game."
Neither team scored for the first 2:15 and a sloppily played first quarter ended with the Knicks holding a 19-14 lead. The Cavs committed 10 turnovers in the period.
Miller was held in check for most of the first half. He scored his first bucket with less than five minutes to go in the second quarter and Cleveland trailed 39-34 at halftime.