Cleveland Cavaliers (37-22) beat New York Knicks (38-22) 109-94 at home on Tuesday, February 24 in a low-scoring game: just 203 combined points between the two teams.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Cavaliers had the better start, winning the first 35-26 to lead by 9 after one. The Knicks cut into the deficit with a 28-25 second quarter, though the Cavaliers still led by 6 at halftime.
The Cavaliers won the third 23-11 to create some separation, taking a 18-point lead into the fourth. The Knicks took the fourth 29-26; the Cavaliers held on for a 109-94 regulation win.
What decided it
The Cavaliers took better care of the ball, turning it over on 11.2% of possessions compared with 16% for the Knicks. The Cavaliers made 25.3 free throws per 100 field-goal attempts, compared with 16.3 for the Knicks. Those extra possessions were crucial.
At roughly 99 possessions per team, the Cavaliers produced 109.9 points per 100 possessions to 94.7 for the Knicks.
Who made the difference
Jarrett Allen was the game's biggest individual force for CLE: 19 pts, 10 reb, 1 ast on 7-8 shooting. His Game Score of 21.3 led everyone. His team was +11 with him on the floor.
Mitchell Robinson led the Knicks with 11 pts, 16 reb, 1 ast on 5-6 shooting, good for a 16.9 Game Score.
Jarrett Allen (19 pts, 10 reb, 1 ast) and Mitchell Robinson (11 pts, 16 reb, 1 ast) each recorded a double-double.
What it means
The result fit the pre-game Win Meter, which gave the Cavaliers about a 67% chance.
Across the last 6 meetings in our records, Cleveland Cavaliers lead 4-2.
The Cavaliers are now 37-22, and the Knicks are 38-22. The Cavaliers last five before this game: W-W-W-W-L.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.