In a night that started out so memorably, the ending sure left a sour taste as the New York Knicks defeated the Cavaliers, 95-90, on Thursday night at The Q in the Cavs’ season opener.
New York’s Carmelo Anthony led all scorers with 25 points.
Kyrie Irving led Cleveland (0-1) with 22 points, four rebounds and five assists. Kevin Love supplied 19 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.
LeBron James struggled offensively in his return home, finishing with 16 points on 5-for-15 shooting in addition to five rebounds and four assists. He also committed a game-high eight turnovers. Going into tonight’s game, it was all about his homecoming, but the Knicks killed that storyline.
The Cavaliers seemed fueled by the emotions in a sloppy first quarter that ended with a 25-18 lead. But for the rest of the game the home team looked spent — particularly on offense as possession after possession was lost in inaccurate passes. Only Kevin Love — 14 first-half points on his way to 19 points and 14 rebounds — seemed a reliable option.
James deferred to his teammates almost without exception in the first half, and never found a rhythm at any point. The Knicks successfully double-teamed him several times, and his teammates looked uncertain as to where to best be open.
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