Tipoff: Madison Square Garden, New York, 8 p.m.
Records: Cavaliers 9-7; Knicks 4-15.
TV: FOX Sports Ohio (Cavaliers Live pregame at 7:30); Radio: WTAM 1100-AM, WMMS 100.7-FM; Cavaliers Radio Network.
Projected Starters
Cavaliers: C Anderson Varejao; PF Kevin Love; SF LeBron James; SG Shawn Marion; PG Kyrie Irving.
Knicks: C Samuel Dalembert; PF Amare Stoudemire; SF Carmelo Anthony; SG Iman Shumpert; PG Jose Calderon.
Injury Report
Cavaliers: PG Matthew Dellavedova (knee) out.
Knicks: F/C Andrea Bargnani (calf) out; F Cleanthony Early (knee) out.
Dribbles
1. The Knicks should be a lot better. I mean, Carmelo and the rest of that starting five is a veteran bunch. But the Knicks just don't seem to play hard enough or smart enough. Which proves my point about Phil Jackson: He ain't winning any titles without the two best players in the game every time.
2. That's not intended to trash Jackson. But when it comes to winning, coaches and general managers and team presidents and owners don't matter nearly as much as the guys on the floor. Just ask the Cleveland Cavaliers. With LeBron James, they've been contenders every time. Without him ... well, you know that sad story.
3. I don't know if the Cavs will be looking to "avenge their opening night loss," as much as they will be looking to put on a show. LeBron, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love all enjoy the bright lights and big city of Madison Square Garden. Who doesn't?
4. The Cavs have won four straight. As was written in the NBA's official newsletter: "Two things are pretty clear when watching the Cavs: they're very much a work in progress on the defensive side of the ball, and they have the potential to be an offensive juggernaut."
5. Offensively, things are going quite well. In the previous four games, the Cavs are shooting 52 percent and averaging 109.8 points. They're also holding opponents to 91.5 points on 43 percent shooting during the streak. So the defense isn't too shabby, either.
6. Overall, the Cavs have won eight straight when scoring at least 100 points. They're 9-1 when that happens. Read: They are 0-6 when it doesn't.
7. As for the Big Three, LeBron is averaging 25.8 points, 9.0 assists and 5.3 during the winning streak. Love is averaging 22.2 points on a sizzling 59 percent from the floor, and is grabbing 8.0 rebounds, over the previous five games. And let's not forget Kyrie. He's at 20.6 points on 54 percent from the floor over the previous five.
8. James is third in the NBA in scoring at 24.9 points per game. Anthony is sixth at 23.5 -- which is about four points less per game than last season.
9. The Knicks are 27th in the league in scoring (93.4) and 27th in rebounds (39.6). But they do deserve credit for at least attempting to defend. They're 11th in points allowed (99.1).
