Cavs pass first test, stay undefeated with 110-104 win over ‘championship contender’ New York

NEW YORK – Donovan Mitchell called it the first real test of the new season. The Cavs passed.

Cleveland remained undefeated with a gutsy 110-104 come-by-behind win over the rival New York Knicks — a bogeyman the past few seasons. The Cavs are now 4-0.

Fresh from Saturday’s win against the rebuilding Washington Wizards, Mitchell talked about the tougher tests ahead. The Cavs opened with a trio of legendary layups against NBA dregs. Monday was different. It was a benchmark game against an opponent new coach Kenny Atkinson called a “championship contender.” Mitchell wanted to see if the new offense could be as rhythmic. He wanted to see if the defense would be as stifling. Would shots fall with more defensive pressure and less space? Would they trust the new system or return to old habits?

Despite trailing at halftime for the first time all season and facing their biggest deficit at any point in the second half, the Cavs stayed connected and faced the moment, outscoring the Knicks 65-52 in the final two quarters and preventing a push late in the game. from the home team.

Point guard Darius Garland, who entered this season looking to recapture his All-Star form, poured in 34 points — his highest non-overtime scoring since December. At the 3:30 mark of the fourth quarter, Garland drained a clutch top-of-the-key 3-pointer that splashed through the net as the embattled guard held his follow-through and blew a kiss to the sky, making the noisy quiet. Madison Square Garden crowd.

Mitchell, a New York native no longer weighed down by the incessant Knicks-related trade rumors, added 25 points on 9-of-17 shooting and 3-of-8 from 3-point range.

Evan Mobley finished with 17 points and eight rebounds. Jarrett Allen recorded a double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds in 31 dominant minutes.

The new Knicks, seemingly reaching another level of contention after a pair of blockbuster summer trades that reshaped the roster and changed their style of play, had six players in double figures. Jalen Brunson led the way with 21, but was just 8 of 24 from the field, often being chased by bigger, tougher defenders throughout.

New additions Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns had 19 and 13 points, respectively.

Monday night was exactly what the Cavs needed. It was what they wanted.

Energy in the arena. Physicality. Hard mistakes. Shortened rotations (ineffective Isaac Okoro and Ty Jerome did not play in the second half). Attack-defense substitutions late in the game.

Can’t repeat playoff basketball at the end of October. But the game had a few of those elements. And Cleveland, which was 3-9 against New York the previous two years, prevailed.

This amazing start does not feel like a fluke.

Next

The Cavs host LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night. Tipoff is set for