NBA Round Up: Knicks Struggles Continue in Loss to Cavs
The struggles continue for the New York Knicks in a 95-89 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, as New York dropped the back-end of a back-to-back against the Cavs. The loss…
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 01: Head Coach Tom Thibodeau and Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks looks on during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden on November 01, 2023 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
The struggles continue for the New York Knicks in a 95-89 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, as New York dropped the back-end of a back-to-back against the Cavs. The loss drops New York back under .500 at 2-3 in the early going.
As has become a troubling pattern so far this season, the Knicks are struggling at shooting the basketball, hitting on only 35 percent of their shots and 16 percent (5-for-30) from downtown.
Julius Randle struggled yet again, hitting on 3-of-15 shots for six total points. Jalen Brunson led the team with 24 points, but shot only 8-of-23 from the floor.
The Knicks held a one-point lead at halftime, 50-49, but came out flat in the third quarter, scoring only 13 points.
Meanwhile it was huge night for Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell -- a New York native, who has been linked in Knicks trades for a couple years now. Mitchell went off for 30 points at the Garden on Wednesday night.
NETS BEAT THE HEAT
Meanwhile down in South Beach, the Nets edged out the Heat 109-105 to get back to .500 (2-2). Mikal Bridges led the way with 21 points, while Ben Simmons added 11 boards.
The Nets trailed Miami 83-75 entering the fourth quarter before exploding for 34 points in the final stanza.
Three pointers by Amoni Brooks and Lonnie Walker IV helped tie up the proceedings at 86. Later with 8:38 to go, Trendon Watford put the Nets in front with a 24-foot jump shot to make it 89-86 Brooklyn.
Clinging to a two-point lead with a minute to go, Dorian Finney-Smith hit a layup to put the Nets up four points, 103-99. Finally Bridges took over with a tray of his own, and four consecutive made free throw attempts to put the game out of reach.
