Amar’e Stoudemire inspires New York Knicks to a 102-97 win over Cleveland Cavaliers: NBA Recap
Amar’e Stoudemire stepped up for the New York Knicks on Monday night and scored 22 points to lift the Knicks to a 102-97 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Cleveland.
For the most part Cavaliers were in front of the Knicks. Cleveland got off to a strong start to the game and kept shooting the ball well to extend their advantage to 22 points at one stage, before the late surge by the Knicks.
“I was about ready to leave the arena with the way the Cavs were shooting the ball at first. We couldn't get stops. It was awful. But after we got down 22, we started to fight. And after we lost 'Melo, we really, really started
to fight." Knicks coach Mike Woodson on the fight back.
Down by double-digits, New York suffered another setback when Carmelo Anthony slipped and twisted his ankle at the start of the second quarter.
He did not return for the remainder of the game and contributed just 6 points in his 14 minutes on the court. None of the starters from the Knicks made into the double digit figures, so it was left for the reserves to take back
control of the game.
Stoudemire stepped up for New York at crucial time; he was well supported by J.R Smith who had 18 points and 7 rebounds while Steve Novak chipped in with 15 points in the winning cause.
Kyrie Irving had a good game, he finished off with 22 points and 6 assists for the night while Marreese Speights had 23 points and 8 rebounds.
“Its human nature (to ease up with a big lead), but that goes back to this being a learning experience for our team. A couple of guys were getting tired, and you could see it out there. Our lack of intensity kind of cost us." Irving
said on letting the Knicks catch up with them despite a solid lead.
Cavaliers were on top of the Knicks early on and outscored them 34-24 in the first period to show their teeth. Knicks gave a much better showing in the second period but Cavs kept on racing away and extended their advantage to
22 at one stage.
However, the Knicks contained the Cavaliers to only 13 points in the third period. This proved to be the turning point, and the Knicks doubled their efforts to come back into the game in the fourth quarter.
Kidd nailed a three pointer with 1:36 on the clock to put the Knicks up 97-91. Cavaliers narrowed down the deficit, but Stoudemire made a clutch put back layup in traffic, which pretty much sealed the deal for the Knicks.
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