Knicks 114, Cavaliers 95: 'Kristaps is gonna make me cry'

That game went so well!!

With Frank Ntilikina at full-go, Kristaps Porzingis playing like an All-Star and the Cleveland Cavaliers playing, frankly, bad basketball for most of the game, the Knicks took it to the Cavs, 114-95.

The Knicks were doing stuff like this:

And this:

Also a little bit of this:

Everything that the Knicks could have been doing well against a team full of veterans coming off a SEGABABA, they did. Despite holding leads as large as 18 in the third quarter and 17 to start the final frame, the Cavaliers did make it a game in the early stages of the fourth quarter, but could never make it all the way back. The Knicks had done enough in the early stages to make their lead insurmountable.

I’m not the sunny side up type of Knicks fan because why in the world would I be? But I’ll admit, there were lots of positives to take away from this game. Frank Ntilikina is a legitimately good passer, has a solid handle that is only going to get better and the exact type of vision that you love to see from a young point guard. Oh, and he’s got a jumper!

I’d say his best moment came in the fourth quarter during Cleveland’s comeback bid when our French son stuck his 10-foot long arm and clogged a passing lane as the Cavs were looking to get an easy transition bucket off a New York turnover. It was so beautiful and it made me think “Gee, this kid is exactly as advertised...and dare I say, better? :’)”

We also saw some nice work from Jarrett Jack, whose solid first half dishin’ helped the Knicks get out to their early lead. Tim Hardaway Jr., Courtney Lee and Enes Kanter also had nice showings, but Kristaps Porzingis. Oh goodness, Kristaps had P&Ter Melo’s Bucket Hat Collection in tears!

I’ll have more on that a little later. It’s notes time, but before we do that, happy birthday NeedforShved!

• You didn't have to wait long to hear about Kristaps Porzingis: KP was majestic. His 32 point, 12 rebound and 2 block performance was exactly what we have come to expect from the Knicks franchise player, and more!

KP scored 30+ for the second straight game and for the fourth time out of the five games the Knicks have played this season.

Kristaps' offensive game has reached the level where his mere presence alters the way a team plays and we saw lots of that tonight. The Cavs threw every type of defender they could think of at the Unicorn. The result:

I may have a cry, myself.

I will say one thing, though. That jumper he does from about 15 feet and that step back from about 10 feet are not quite there yet. Once they are, lethal.

• Enes Kanter: He was nice tonight and the Clyde even praised his defence! Enes’ line read 18/12/1/1. I can fucks with that, especially when he’s playing against a plus big like Tristan Thompson.

If one play summed up his performance tonight, though, it would be this one:

Plus, he’s almost a vegan now?? I love it! Keep that up, man!

In the words of one of his long-lost brothers...very nice! I like!!

• Tim Hardaway Jr.: THJ did played optimally tonight. I use the word optimally because he’s someone that will never give you everything you need but he can easily provide some useful play. Tonight, he scored 34 points, had 8 assists, 2 rebounds and a steal. I kinda love that! His play reminded some Michigan fans of his former days as a Wolverine:

He was dishin’ and swishin’ tonight, and all we can do is hope to see much more of it.

We always talk about all of this timeline stuff when it comes to the Knicks’ future. Well, he linked up with KP to score 66 points, which is exactly what people are referring to when they’re talking about this franchise’s timeline.

High five!

• Jarrett Jack: Jack did the little things tonight that’ll help a team get a win, especially against a contender like the Cleveland Cavaliers. He wasn’t a prolific scorer or anything like that; he actually only scored 2 points. But he did distribute the ball nicely all game, finishing up with 9 assists while adding 3 rebounds a steal and a block. He was, what one might call, an unsung hero yet since Jeff Hornacek made the move to Jack over Sessions, the Knicks are 2-0.

This can only mean one thing...ECF. Kidding, but maybe this will help the Knicks do bring KP, Frank and THJ along a little better.

• Frank Ntilikina: Once this dude is ready to start, we’re all going to be so happy we have him on this team. When will that be? Who knows. But it’s going to come and it is going to be amazing. I detailed what made him so great above but I just want to reiterate, we love the Frenchise!!!!

He played just 16 minutes tonight and scored 5 points, had 3 boards, 3 assist, 2 steals but did commit 4 “I’m a rookie and I’m very excited to be playing basketball” fouls. They’ll happen, get used to it! He’s so good and so young!

• Courtney Lee: Courtney Lee was one of the three Knick starters to finish the game with a double-double. He scored 15 points, had 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. Joe was playing it cool but in real life he was probably very happy about this.

He played good defence as he has always done and did some pretty nifty dishin’ as well.

Showings like this from Courtney have become increasingly common. He isn’t a prolific player nor is he a particularly fun player to watch, but when he wants to do good stuff, he has some really nice games.

• Clyde: He called the Cavaliers cry babies. Midseason form.

***

To summarize: