On arguably the biggest night in Cleveland sports history – with the Cavaliers receiving their rings and raising the 2016 Championship banner into the rafters while the Indians hosted Game 1 of the World Series next door – there was no way defending champs were going to let New York spoil another home opener at The Q.
And although the new-look Knicks cut Cleveland’s lead to three points at intermission, it was all Wine and Gold in the second stanza – outscoring New York, 34-19, in the third quarter and pulling away in the fourth for the 117-88 victory.
Cleveland’s Big Three picked up where they left off last June in Oakland – combining for 71 points in the win – with Kyrie Irving leading all scorers, Kevin Love leading all rebounders and LeBron James notching the 43rd triple-double of his illustrious career.
After James and his teammates were presented with their Championship jewelry in a stirring pregame ceremony, the four-time MVP addressed the sold-out crowd at The Q, ending his address with: “It’s Cleveland against the world.”
Neither the World nor the Knicks were able to stop James on the night, with the reigning Finals MVP finishing with 19 points on 9-for-14 shooting, leading both squads with 14 assists to go with 11 boards and a blocked shot.
Kyrie Irving got off to a chilly start on Tuesday – going 4-of-12 from the floor – but he caught fire after intermission, netting 19 of his 29 points in the third period, going 8-of-10 from the floor and 3-of-4 from long-range. On the night, the sixth-year pro from Duke finished 12-for-22 from the field to go with four assists and a pair of steals.
Kevin Love followed up with 23 points of his own – going 6-of-15 from the floor while leading both squads with 12 boards and three steals.
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