Returning home from a six game road trip did not help the Cleveland Cavaliers all that much as they fell to the visiting New York Knicks 106-86.
What is it about the 3rd quarter and the Cleveland Cavaliers? The Cavs have been outscored 176-106 in the 3rd quarter during their five game losing streak. Cleveland’s opponents just seem to have the upper hand when it comes to starting the second half. This has without a doubt contributed to their struggles as of late.
Like many of their recent games, the game was close as the second half started. Unfortunately it did not last as the Knicks outscored the Cavaliers 57-36 in the final two quarters. The only bright spots are that Cleveland only committed 10 turnovers and won the rebounding battle 53-49. Everyone else was pretty much a disaster.
Rough shooting night for Darius Garland and Collin Sexton
Rough is right. Darius Garland and Collin Sexton combined to go 10-40 from the field and only made two of 10 three-point attempts. When Garland and Sexton are taking nearly half the shots and missing 75% of them that is a problem. Sexton led all Cavaliers scorers with 17 points. This just shows how poorly this game went for everyone involved.
Kevin Love and Cedi Osman also struggled
Things were not that much better for Kevin Love and Cedi Osman. Kevin Love made four of his 10 three-pointers, but missed his four two-pointers. Cedi Osman also made four threes on six attempts, but went 1-7 on his other field goal attempts. Kevin Love at least grabbed nine rebounds to give the illusion of a respectable performance.
Tristan Thompson grabs 20 rebounds
Part of the reason Cleveland won the rebounding battle was Tristan Thompson being an absolute animal on the boards. Thompson finished with 22 rebounds, including 10 offensive rebounds. Thompson’s 22 rebounds, 10 offensive, and 12 defensive were game-highs, this includes players on the Knicks as well.
Larry Nance Jr. with a double-double off the bench
Larry Nance Jr. was the only other player in the game to finish with double-digit rebounds (10). Nance also scored 12 points on 5-9 from the field (1-4 3PT) and made only one of four free throw attempts. Nance was only one of three bench players to get considerable playing time. Part of that is due to the team letting Alfonzo McKinnie’s contract expire. McKinnie was playing a considerable amount of minutes for the Cavaliers prior to today.
