The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the New York Knicks 109-94. Let’s see who wins and who loses that night.
Winner – Packaging Paint
Have you ever heard the phrase “open for a reason”? Well, Josh Hart is certainly familiar after tonight.
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The Cavaliers approached this game with a simple defensive game plan. Jarrett Allen matched up with Hart and chose to pack the paint inside rather than respect his status as a three-point shooter. The outcome favored Cleveland as they were able to crowd New York’s offense, while Hart went just 2-8 from downtown.
Cleveland employs a similar strategy whenever Jose Alverado takes the field. Alverado shot 1-4.
Sometimes I think the Cavaliers might be too lax About reporting on Hart. Sure, he’s a good enough shooter to warrant some form of finish. But tonight the Cavaliers bet on him, and Hart couldn’t make them regret it.
Having more bodies in the paint is a no-brainer, especially against a Knicks team that had previously crushed Cleveland on the glass. Being able to stay home can minimize the damage done on offensive rebounds. It also takes pressure off the perimeter and forces opponents to take lower-quality shots.
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Of course, everything becomes easier when your opponent misses the ball. New York went 10-37 (27%) overall from downtown at night.
Loser – James Harden Whistle
So…what happened?
Harden is historically known for having one of the best whistles of all time. Will playing for a small-market team like the Cavaliers negate official good fortune?
Harden attempted zero free throws tonight, the fifth time since 2021. It’s not for lack of trying.
There was a moment in this game when Harden was slammed while driving for a layup. When Harden stood up, he gave the officials a look of pure betrayal and betrayal. This has never happened before.
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Harden’s free throw shooting rate has plummeted since joining the Cavaliers. Part of it, I think, is that he’s not trying nearly as many shots. Instead, he has been playing the role of playmaker when he joined a new team.
But at some point…you start to wonder.
Winner – Backcourt
Look, it’s not always perfect. The Cavaliers’ starting backcourt is inefficient in scoring and has an assist-to-turnover rate that will make you blush. But, they got the job done — and that means something considering where this team was three months ago.
A big reason why Cleveland acquired James Harden was his availability. For all the great things Darius Garland brings to the court, his recent issues have only been on the court. That’s why even Harden’s 8-for-18 shooting night still felt like a huge win. Because even if things don’t go exactly as planned, Harden can elevate the offense with his playmaking and… well, availability.
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Paired with Mitchell, he also had a rough shooting night (5-for-18) but made timely shots. The two guards combined for 43 points, constantly putting pressure on New York’s defense to contain them. That pressure creates gravity, and that gravity allows other players like Jarrett Allen to find space and attack.
Sometimes, high volume is better than no volume. Very efficient, but probably overrated. The Cavs guards did what they needed to do tonight.