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Find out the scoop on the CAVS from award-winning sports writer Bob Finnan.

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Game 57: Cavs at Knicks

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (35-22) 101, NEW YORK KNICKS (10-45) 83
Madison Square Garden
Sunday
Radio: WTAM-AM 1100, WMMS-FM 100.7, La Mega-FM 97.7
TV: Fox Sports Ohio

1. This proved to be the Cavs' 16th win in their last 18 games. They travel to Detroit to face the Pistons on Tuesday at The Palace of Auburn Hills. This won't be a pushover. The Pistons recently beat the Bulls and have made some recent acquisitions in Reggie Jackson and Tayshaun Prince.

2. Sunday's game was never in doubt. The Knicks are awful. They dropped to 10-45 on the season, worst in the NBA. They've lost seven in a row. The Cavs might not lose seven in the second half of the season. The Knicks, as they are presently constituted, might not win the D-League title. They recently shut down forward Carmelo Anthony (left knee surgery) for the rest of the season. The Knicks never led in the game. The Cavs led by 30 points at one juncture before Coach David Blatt emptied the bench.

3. The Cavs are absolutely purring on offense and defense. They are playing with extreme confidence. It's going to be hard to beat this team right now. 

4. Cavs forward Shawn Marion (left hip pain) was sent back to Cleveland after the game to get an MRI. He could miss some time. Many have wondered why he was dropped from Blatt's rotation. Now we know why. 

5. Guard J.R. Smith was very good on Sunday against his former team. He had 17 points, including a wicked reverse dunk. He's such a likable guy with his colorful quotes. The media in New York is going to have a field day with him after the game.

6. The Cavs players, staff and front office is pretty excited about the pending signing of center Kendrick Perkins. He's scheduled to take his physical on Monday and sign his contract. The soonest he could play is Tuesday in Detroit. He is such a tough guy.

7. The Cavs have won their last 14 games when they reach the 100-point barrier. They are 28-4 when they score 100 or more points this season. 

8. They have now made 10 or more 3-pointers in 11 of their last 14 games. They have turned into a 3-point shooting team. They are averaging 9.2 3-pointers made per game. If they keep up this pace, they'll shatter the team record.

9. During their 16-2 stretch, they are outscoring teams by 12.3 points per game. They are holding teams to 42 percent shooting. 

10. Knicks forward Lou Amundson played 12 games for the Cavs this season before being waived. New York has so many injuries, he's moved into the starting lineup.

11. Blatt and Knicks GM Steve Mills were teammates at Princeton for four seasons. They helped the Tigers to two Ivy League titles and an NCAA berth in 1981.

UP NEXT: at Detroit, The Palace of Auburn Hills, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24

STARTERS
SF LeBron James (6-8, 250) vs. Lance Thomas (6-8, 225)
PF Kevin Love (6-10, 243) vs. Lou Amundson (6-9, 225)
C Timofey Mozgov (7-1, 250) vs. Jason Smith (7-0, 245)
SG J.R. Smith (6-6, 220) vs. Langston Galloway (6-2, 200)
PG Kyrie Irving (6-3, 193) vs. Jose Calderon (6-3, 200)
INACTIVE LIST
Cavs - C Anderson Varejao
Knicks - F Carmelo Anthony
OFFICIALS
Dan Crawford, Eli Roe, Bill Kennedy

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