OPENING TIP
If you think the Cavaliers are disappointment, just wait until you get a load of these guys. The Knicks are coming off a 41-point loss to the Celtics on Sunday. At New York. Neither starting guard, Iman Shumpert nor Raymond Felton, scored a single point. Before that, the Knicks won back-to-back games by 30-plus points. Coach Mike Woodson's job is on shaky ground and Carmelo Anthony is just sort of shooting a lot -- and that's it. Overall, it's a frustrating mess. The Cavs, on the other hand, have won three of four.
Venue: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland.
TV/Radio: 7 p.m. EST, FOX Sports Ohio/WTAM
PROJECTED STARTERS
NEW YORK KNICKS (5-14)
C Andrea Bargnani
PF Kenyon Martin
SF Carmelo Anthony
SG Iman Shumpert
PG Raymond Felton
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (7-13)
C Andrew Bynum
PF Tristan Thompson
SF Alonzo Gee
SG C.J. Miles
PG Kyrie Irving
Pregame notes:
• Martin (ankle) is probable after sitting out the Boston massacre. That's good news for the Knicks, as he adds a high level of toughness on defense that's severely lacking when he rests. Offensively, he'll only shoot when he's unbelievably wide open. That is also good for the Knicks.
• The Knicks are 24th in the NBA in scoring, 29th in rebounds and 23rd in assists. Like the Cavs, the Knicks attempt to make up for it at the defensive end. They're eighth in points allowed. Read: This has the potential to get really ugly.
• Prior to the 30-point blowout wins (over the Nets and Magic), the Knicks had lost nine straight. "I wish I could explain it," Woodson said after the loss to the Celtics. "I thought we had turned the corner somewhat."
• The Cavs have lost three straight and five of six to the Knicks.
• The Knicks are 4-1 when they make 12 or more 3-pointers. Also, they've held opponents to less than 100 points in all five of their wins (5-5 overall).
• The Cavs' bench has scored at least 50 points in five of the last nine games. Cavs G Dion Waiters plays a similar role to Knicks G J.R. Smith in reserve: Take off your warm-up and put the ball in the basket.
• Waiters has scored 20 or more in four of the past six.
• The Cavs are holding opponents to .417 percent shooting at The Q. That includes a league-best .305 percent on 3-pointers for opponents.
