Last night, located in Midtown Manhattan between 7th and 8th Avenues from 31st to 33rd Streets, situated atop Pennsylvania Station, the most famous arena in the world, MSG, the Cavaliers fell to a Knicks team that was due for a win, 102-81. Without a full house in attendance the coaches, players, staff, an arena employees went to work on a blistery New York January night to give everyone competition, a reason to cheer, and an excitement felt through Draft Kings. Unfortunately, the game was complete garbage; smelling like, Anthony Bourdain’s Sunday’s Kitchen Confidential fish. The halftime score was Knicks 47, Cavs 33. The away team was shooting under 30% at half, and finished 34.5%; pathetic!
For a better perspective, let’s not forget the Cavs jumped out to a double digit lead after it took minutes for the first bucket to touch the bottom of the net and then went cold. After a dismal first half a spunky fired up J. B. Bickerstaff led squad came out swinging cutting the lead to 4, only to let the Knicks house them on a 12-1 run to end the quarter. Repeated missed layups were a common occurrence; hey, men, dunk that shit you’re tall enough. More times than I care to remember, I saw Nance Jr, Andre, or the closest teammate to rebound, and then continue dribbling, (Sometimes between the legs, Nance) like they thought Magic reincarnated down the hardwood. I thought Garland was point?
The 2nd year Vanderbilt product was on point last night coming off injury, leading the Cavs scoring 24, going 4-6 from beyond the arch, “Deep in MSG,” cried out Austin Carr. Sexton’s presence wasn’t felt until the 3rd quarter, which I believe was a mistake. The 3rd yr. SG Cavalier star, coined SexLand, added 17 points and 5 assists. Newly acquired Jared Allen, (The Fro) continues to impress off the bench with physical play and as Carr says, “He’s fundamentally sound,” contributed 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists. It makes me wonder if Andre Drummond will remain in the wine and gold or get swapped out to the Nets, since we got their only strong interior player in Allen; in the James Harden deal.
The less than LeBron’s hold a record of 9-10 and are about to embark on 5 games in 7 days on the road, the gauntlet has been thrown down. The backcourt of Sexton and Garland, both lottery picks, are becoming comfortable and have started to shine through grey Lakeshore drives to the hoop and deep in the Q 3’s. The rookie, Okoro, has been solid, silent, and poised out there; averaging 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists. But he’ll surprise you from night to night. Prince, also acquired in the Allen deal has fit right in coming off the bench and letting all know he came to play. Andre continued to lead the league in rebounding snatching 15 last night. Having Nance back in the starting lineup helps solidify the team’s cohesiveness, along with Windler coming off a broken hand, stroking a beautiful follow through for 8 points. And, don’t forget Kevin Love will be back. This team should make the playoffs and cut its teeth; so to speak.
