There was no telling how the New York Knicks would fare Wednesday night before they dispatched the Cleveland Cavaliers 119-111. The same Cleveland Cavaliers who rocketed to 64 wins last season, their first under head coach and former Knicks assistant Kenny Atkinson.
In fact, add that the Knicks were without their best rim protector in Mitchell Robinson and Josh Hart, practically an NBA Swiss Army Knife, and it’s easy to see how the Cavs could have taken over the game. Sure, not having Darius Garland, D’Andre Hunter, and Max Strus hurt, but Donavan “Spida” Mitchell? Plus a healthy Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley?