The Cleveland Cavaliers returned to winning ways on Wednesday with a resounding 125-97 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was a morale-boosting victory for Cleveland, which went just 7-8 last month. Starring for Cleveland in this contest was Lebron James. The reigning Finals MVP scored 27 points and grabbed 12 boards for his 21st double-double of the season.
What proved to be the difference in this ballgame was Cleveland’s terrific ball movement. The Cavs dished out a season-high 37 assists against the Wolves. Kyrie Irving was the chief facilitator for Cleveland, recording a career-high 14 dimes against Minnesota. The Wolves also had a hard time keeping up with Cleveland’s gunners as the Cavs torched them with 15-of-37 shooting from beyond the arc.
Outside shooting and excellent player movement have been the crucial ingredients behind Cleveland’s success against New York this season. The Cavs have drained a whopping 35 threes in their first two meetings with the Knicks. Cleveland has totally dominated its matchup against New York, with the Cavs’ average winning margin standing at an incredible 30.5 points.
The Cavs are 9-1 SU and 5-5 ATS int their last 10 games against the Knicks.
The New York Knicks finally snapped their two-game losing skid with a thrilling 95-90 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday. Four players scored in double-figures for the Knicks who moved to within 1.5 games of the Charlotte Hornets for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Leading the way for New York in this critical road win was Kristaps Porzingis. He scored 19 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in just 26 minutes of action. Porzingis has shown no signs of the sophomore blues, averaging 18.6 points and 7.0 rebounds per game for the Knicks this campaign.
The Knicks will look to sustain the momentum of that huge win when they lock horns with the Cavs this coming Saturday. For the Knicks to accomplish that feat, they will need their bench to contribute once again. New York’s second unit scored 43 points on Wednesday as they helped spark a furious fourth-quarter comeback. Willy Hernangomez had 16 points and 16 rebounds against the Nets while seldom-used Sasha Vujacic scored 12 points, including a pair of four-point plays.
The Knicks are 3-7 SU and 5-5 ATS in their last 10 home games.
