NBA Match Preview: New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers
In an all Eastern Conference clash, the New York Knicks visit the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight. Meeting for the first time this season, the two teams clash at the Quicken
Loans Arena, Cleveland.
The Knicks lost their winning streak of eight games this week after losing their week’s opening match to the conference toppers, the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. The Knicks
suffered yet another defeat at Madison Square Garden this week after losing to the Miami Heat last night.
Although they have lost at home this week, the Knicks’ currently enjoy an eight-game winning streak on the road sporting a 10-4 win loss mark for the season. Visiting Cleveland
tonight, the Knicks look to extend their road winning streak to nine games.
Following their defeat against the Heat last night, Amar’e Stoudemire lost his nine-game streak of averaging at least 30 points when he was held to 24 points in the game.
Talking to the press after their defeat, Stoudemire said, "We understand we're not far away but we still have to improve and get better. I think playing these guys is a learning lesson for us. We've got to learn from these games and get better."
Standing at an 11-1 when they hit 10 or more 3-pointers, the Knicks’ large portion of offense comes from beyond the arc. Wilson Chandler is shooting a 42.2 percent from
a 3-point range for the season. Chandler is currently averaging 19.5 points this season with 53.6 shot percentage.
Although their losses at Madison Square Garden might have returned, the Knicks’ performance on the road suggests that they might be successful against the Cavaliers tonight.
Suffering a ten-game losing streak, the Cavaliers are trailing the Central Division standings with a 7-19 mark this season.
Coming back from a four-game road trip, the Cavaliers stand at a 0-2 mark this week. Their opening match against the Heats this week made them suffer from a 95-101 loss.
Their second loss for the week came on Friday when they visited Indiana to take on the Pacers. In a 99-108 defeat the Cavaliers were sent packing back home to host the Knicks tonight.
Following their loss against the Pacers, Cavaliers’ forward Antawn Jamison said, "We just have to get a win. We're doing a good job of 36-40 minutes of pretty good basketball.
There are no consolation prizes in the NBA."
With the Cavaliers on a ten game slide this season and the Knicks’ enjoying an eight game winning streak on the road, the favorites to win tonight are truly the Knicks.
However, Cavaliers do enjoy a tad advantage of playing at home. Will the Knicks be successful in leading the score 1-0? Or will the Cavaliers be successful in snapping their losing streak? Only tonight’s result will tell.
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