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Wrap-Up -- If there was any concern about the All-Star Break disrupting the Wine and Gold’s rhythm heading into the season’s second half, those worries were allayed almost immediately – as the Cavs crushed the Knicks for the 10th straight occasion, including all four matchups this season.
Cleveland went into the Break having run their record in February to 7-1 and came out on the other side ready to rumble – with seven players notching double-figures as the Cavaliers continued their mastery of the Knicks, taking the 119-104 decision on Thursday night at The Q.
Both franchises spent the day working through the final hours of the NBA’s trade deadline, but by game-time on Thursday night, both had determined to stand pat.
As they had in the previous meeting in New York, the Cavaliers ran out to a big second half lead before having to suppress a Knicks rally – opening up a 21-point edge early in the third period and clinging to an eight-point lead at the end of the quarter.
But after being held to just 18 points in the third, the final period belonged to Cleveland – improving its advantage to double-figures on Channing Frye’s bomb to begin the fourth and never allowing the Knicks closer than 13 points the rest of the way.
Kyrie Irving posted his seventh straight 20-point performance – leading Cleveland with 23 points on 9-for-16 shooting, adding six assists, three boards and a steal.
LeBron James notched his third triple-double in his last five matchups against New York – along with sixth this season and 48th of his career – finishing with 18 points, a game-high 15 assists and 13 boards.
The four-time MVP was 7-for-11 from the floor and added three blocked shots – including a fourth-quarter chase-down block on Courtney Lee, timing up Lee’s dunk attempt, pinning it on the glass and calmly peeling the loose ball off the glass.
Kyle Korver continued his red-hot run – coming off the bench to lead all reserves with 20 points, going 7-for-12 from the floor, including 6-of-10 from long-range. In the month of February, the veteran sharpshooter is averaging 15.9 points on 62 percent shooting from the field, including 63 percent (36-for-57) from beyond the arc.
Richard Jefferson and his podcast partner, Channing Frye, finished with 14 points apiece in the victory. Derrick Williams, who inked a second 10-day contract on Wednesday, added 10 points on 4-for-8 shooting off the bench.
LBJ, Kyrie and Korver heat up and TT grabs another double-double.
Tristan Thompson doubled-up for the fourth straight occasion – netting 10 points and leading both teams with 14 boards and four blocked shots.
The Knicks were paced by Courtney Lee, who finished with 25 points after netting 13 in the first period, drilling his first six attempts of the night. Carmelo Anthony, who had been at the center of trade rumors for the past month-and-change, followed up with 20 points in the loss.
New York’s prized sophomore big man, Kristaps Porzingis, sprained his right ankle right before halftime and didn’t return to action after intermission.
The Cavaliers drilled 15 three-pointers on Thursday, the seventh time they’ve done so in nine February games.
Turning Point -- In Cleveland’s February 4 win at the Garden, the Cavaliers opened up a 27-point lead before watching the Knicks cut it to five with under a minute to play. The Cavs were determined to not have that type of drama on Thursday night.
New York had sliced into the Wine and Gold’s edge throughout the third quarter and got to within eight – 87-79 – heading into the fourth.
But Channing Frye’s triple gave Cleveland an 11-point edge – and LeBron took over from there, keying a 14-2 run to start the final period as the Cavaliers gradually pulled away for their 40th win of the campaign.
By the Numbers – 14-0 … Cavaliers mark against the Atlantic Division so far this season.
Quotable – Kyrie Irving, on his return from the Break …
”I didn’t have a week. I wish I did. Getting, I call it two and a half days, it was great, but now it’s back to business. Another big journey starts. We’re all looking forward to it, I am for sure. Just gearing up and getting to that next level. Getting prepared for what’s to come ahead. There’s some adversity coming, so I’m ready to face it and get through it with these great teammates I have.”
Up Next -- After pulling past the Knicks on Thursday night, the Cavaliers welcome the Bulls to town for another nationally-televised matchup on Saturday night at The Q. On Monday night, they close out the month of February when they take on the Bucks for the final time this season. The Wine and Gold hit the road to begin the month of March – traveling to Boston for a big showdown with the Celtics next Wednesday followed by a back-to-back against the Hawks on Friday and a meeting with the Heat on Saturday night on South Beach.