Carmelo Anthony And The Knicks Fall to the Defending Champs

With Kyrie Irving sidelined, the Cavs were without their second best player. Fortunately, the Knicks would be without any sense of urgency.

Hours after LeBron James said he wished the best for Carmelo Anthony, the world’s best player handed his good buddy and the Knicks their 17th loss in the last 23 games. The Cavs defeated the Knicks 111-104.

"“If [Anthony’s] there in New York or if not, I just want the best for him,” James told reporters prior to the game. “I want him to be happy.”"

This happiness just can’t at the expense of the defending champs’ success though, who have now reeled off four wins in their last five games. As for LeBron, it was just another day at the office that just so happened to take place on a Saturday night at the world’s most famous arena. He finished with 32 points on 12-of-20 shooting with 10 assists and five rebounds.

Remember when Pedro Martinez called the Yankees his daddy? Well, it’s beginning to feel as if the entire Knicks organization has to exalt LeBron in a similar manner. In 2012-13 when the Knicks won 54 games, the conversation was about how Melo and the Knicks could dethrone the Big-3 in Miami.

In a rather unfortunate turn of events, Roy Hibbert met Anthony at the rim with the best block of

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his career, stymieing the Knicks’ quest to get to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 1999.

Since that block, NY has gone 108-191 with three straight postseason DNP’s. This includes a 2-12 record against LeBron with nine straight losses, in which he’s averaging 26.1 points against them. He’s the King and the Knicks’ players, coaches and fans are just idle observers of his greatness.

In the end, the Knicks were pretty much embarrassed on their home court by a team without its second best player. Defense has been the overwhelming issue this season. NY currently ranks 23rd in the league in defensive efficiency, allowing 107.8 points per-100 possessions.

The Cavs, sans the service of Kyrie Irving, put up 64 points on 52 percent shooting in the first half. They faced little resistance from a team that just didn’t appear to have a desire to defend the three-point line, surrendering a barrage of wide-open looks from downtown. This wasn’t the best of strategies, obviously. Cleveland is third in the NBA in three-point shooting percentage and second in attempts.

Melo and company rallied and cut it to a five-point deficit with just under a minute to go and Kevin Love drilled a three right in front of the Knicks bench.

Great find by LeBron. This pushed the lead back to eight, but it wasn’t the dagger. That came courtesy of the Knicks shooting 14-of-28 from the charity stripe at home. What can you really say, same ol’ Knicks.

This was an opportunity for them to get back on the right track. With no Kyrie, the Cavs were devoid of any true playmakers outside of James. The Knicks could’ve taken advantage of a team that has struggled since the start of the new year.

But you’re not going to win too many games when you two best players combine for just 26 points on 9-of-20 shooting (2-of-9 from three). Kristaps Porzingis was limited because of early foul trouble and Anthony just didn’t have it going after he appeared to aggravate a right shoulder injury.

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Get ’em next time Knicks! Maybe LeBron and his posse won’t show up to the game.