CLEVELAND, Ohio - Halloween night proved to be a frightening one for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cavs were outscored, 28-12, in the third quarter of a 109-91 loss to the visiting New York Knicks, in a rematch of last season’s postseason matchup. Down by six at halftime, Cleveland made just seven of 23 field goal attempts while committing six turnovers in what would become their third consecutive loss.
In what they hoped to be a statement game - the first of a home-and-home series with the Knicks - the Cavs (1-3) struggled to find their offense, particularly beyond the 3-point line. A 10-of-38 (26.3%) long-range performance hindered the Cavs, especially in the third quarter, where they made only one of nine 3-point attempts.
“I don’t think we played in a way where we weren’t competing,” said Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff after the game. “I think we were competing. But… you come out and miss your first 11 shots of the third quarter, you’re going to have a hard time staying in games.”
While the Cavs went on a streak of 11 consecutive missed shots after making three of their first four of the second half, Georges Niang (11 points) was the only Cav to total at least three 3’s. Max Strus missed his first six long shots in a 1-of-7 (2-9 FGs) outing.
Bickerstaff, however, did not blame his team’s overall game on the shots not falling.
“They played the right way. They shared the ball. They created open shots for one another. The shots just didn’t go.”
After the Cavs fell behind by as many as eight points in the opening quarter, Donovan Mitchell helped spark the offense with 14 of his game-high 26 points. Mitchell, who was initially listed questionable for the game with a hamstring injury, made 11 of his 20 field goal attempts.
“We missed some shots that typically go in,” said Mitchell. “And we’ll fix that tomorrow.”
The Cavs also received sparks from some of their rookies. Both Emoni Bates and Craig Porter totaled the first baskets of their NBA careers, with Porter totaling 10 points off the bench, while Bates had nine.
Porter, an undrafted free agent out of Wichita State who signed a two-way contract with the Cavs following the draft, graded his performance after the game.
“I’d give it a ‘C.’ Although there was good, there was also, the bad that comes with it. And we lost, on top of that. At the same time, I give myself a lot of credit, because this is a new game for me.”
Among the Cleveland starters, only Isaac Okoro (11 points, 2-5 3-PT FGs) managed to score in double digits, as Strus and Evan Mobley each scored just six points. Mobley, who faced the bulk of New York’s post game on both ends, grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds, but managed just three field goals in nine attempts.
“I think he struggled tonight, on the offensive end of the floor,” said Bickerstaff on Mobley. “I thought he did a good job competing and trying to rebound, but tonight, offensively, wasn’t his best.”
Five Knicks players ended the game in double figures. Jalen Brunson and Julius Randoe each totaled 19 points, followed by Immanuel Quickley (18), RJ Barrett (16), and Isaiah Hartenstein (13).
The Knicks (2-2) outscored the Cavs in second chance points, 20-7, while more than doubling Cleveland’s free throw makes (20 to 9) and attempts (25 to 12).
The two teams will play again tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Cavs suffer 3rd straight loss; will play in New York on Wednesday
