Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 34 points while Kristaps Porzingis added 32 points and 12 boards as the New York Knicks stunned the Cleveland Cavaliers, 114-95, Sunday. Before this game, the Knicks lost to the Cavaliers for ten straight games after winning on Oct. 30, 2014, in LeBron James’ first game since returning to Cleveland after a four-year stint with the Miami Heat. Enes Kanter added 18 points and 12 boards while Courtney Lee had 15 points and 10 boards as the Knicks (2-3) handed the Cavaliers a third straight loss. Kevin Love led the Cavaliers (3-4) with 22 points and 11 rebounds, James had 16 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists while Derrick Rose had 15 points in his return after missing four games with a sprained left ankle.
Kyle Korver added 13 points off the bench while J.R. Smith had 11 points for the Cavaliers, who lost despite fielding their fifth different starting lineup in seven games. Hardaway waxed hot early, scoring 24 points in the first half while Porzingis added 17 as the Knicks led 62-54 at the break. Before losing to the Knicks, the Cavaliers were defeated by the New Orleans Pelicans and the Brooklyn Nets in their previous two games.
James not alarmed by Cavs’ slow start
After their loss to the Pelicans, James was asked if he’s worried about the Cavaliers’ slow start. "I'm fine. I'm fine, and we're fine," James said after their 123-101 loss to the New Orleans. Per Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, James said the season is long, and it’s way too early to judge the Cavaliers at this point.
James urged fans to be patient until the Cavaliers become the full strength with the lineup they are most comfortable with. The Cavaliers started veteran Dwyane Wade at shooting guard but replaced him with Smith after he struggled to find his niche on the team. Against the Knicks, Wade scored just six points on 3-of-7 shooting.
Murray shines as Nuggets beat Nets
Jamal Murray scored 26 points while six other teammates scored in double figures as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Brooklyn Nets, 124-111. Nikola Jokic added 21 points, Wilson Chandler had 18 markers, Gary Harris chipped in 14 while Paul Millsap tallied a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards as the Nuggets improved to 3-3.
Emmanuel Mudiay had 15, and Mason Plumlee added 10 points off the bench for Denver. Spencer Dinwiddie tied a career-high with 22 points, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson added 18, Joe Harris chipped in 16 while D'Angelo Russell scored just 12 on 3-of-12 shooting for the Nets (3-4).
