LeBron James is a showman and Madison Square Garden is the biggest stage, so expect the King to put on a show. LeBron is the dominant force guiding the East’s top team to seven straight wins while the Knicks are striving for relevance again in the conference. Wins over the best will help and New York looks for a better showing after a 10-point loss in Cleveland nine days ago. You can bet on NBA odds at BookMaker.eu every day of the season.
TRAVEL/SCHEDULING/LETDOWN/LOOK AHEAD
The Cavaliers start a three-game road swing when they meet the Knickerbockers, who they beat, 96-86, just nine days ago at The Q. The bad news for New York is that the Cavs haven’t played since Tuesday when they extended their winning streak to seven by defeating the Jazz. Even worse news is that Cleveland shot 50 percent from the field and scored 118 points against the NBA’s top defensive club. The Cavs had an enjoyable stay at home, winning all four games, but they were much closer than they would’ve liked. Cleveland beat New York, Philly, Indiana and Utah by an average of just six points. The Cavs will need to adjust as they hit the road for the first time in nearly two weeks. Their only loss was in the opener at Chicago and they snuck by an improved – but still bad – 76ers team.
New York evened its record at 4-4 by knocking off the Raptors on Tuesday. The Knicks got their fourth win last season in their 14th game. Friday’s rematch with Cleveland kicks off an important three-game homestand. Winnable games against an injury-ravaged Pelicans crew and Charlotte follow the Cavs. A sweep of the homestand would be nice, but taking two of three would do wonders for the Knicks psyche with a four-game roadie that has stops at Oklahoma City and Houston to start looming.
INJURIES
The Cavs are off to a 7-1 start with point guard Kyrie Irving and swingman Iman Shumpert yet to play a game. Irving continues to mend from off-season knee surgery and there is no timetable for his return. Shumpert had surgery on his wrist and likely won’t be ready until late January. Mo Williams and J.R. Smith have started in the backcourt.
Arron Afflalo is getting close to making his season debut and could be in the lineup Friday. He’s been out with a hamstring injury but, according to coach Derek Fisher, is progressing nicely. Fisher said he would keep Afflalo from playing both games of back-to-back sets but will not have a minutes restriction on him.
KEY MATCHUP
The Knicks were criticized and laughed at when they selected Kristaps Porzingis with the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft. But it looks like Phil Jackson might have the last laugh, and perhaps many more after that. Still a raw talent and only 20 years old, the 7-foot-1 Latvian forward has drawn comparisons to Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki with his length and three-point shooting ability. But Porzingis’ rebounding is one of the greatest surprises in the young season, and his putback dunks are quickly becoming poster material. He’s averaging better than 11 points and eight rebounds per game this season, and if he continues to progress the Knicks will be a legitimate playoff contender. That’s a lot to put on a young man in the biggest media circus, but so far he’s shown to be more than capable. Porzingis has averaged 10 rebounds per game since pulling down a season-low four at Cleveland on Nov. 4 and said after that game he needs to be more aggressive. He has been and the numbers prove that. As he gets more familiar with the NBA and the season progresses, his minutes will likely increase and so will his numbers. He has a good shot at sweeping the glass against Cleveland so bet the over on a rebound total prop.
ODDS AND PREDICTION
There was nowhere to go but up for the Knicks so the start isn’t all that surprising, especially with Carmelo Anthony back after knee surgery and Porzingis playing the way he is. But the Cavs are still the team to beat in the East and the Knicks aren’t there yet. Tristan Thompson is a defensive stopper for the Cavs and he pushed Porzingis around in the last meeting, effectively neutralizing one of New York’s biggest threats. LeBron James and Kevin Love take care of the offense and Mo Williams is the team’s MVP early on, taking over at point for Irving. The Cavs are much deeper and proved that by running away from the Knicks in the second half of their 10-point win last week. Anthony will get his points, that happens when you shoot the basketball as often as he does, but James, Love and the Cavs will offset his production and Cleveland will rock the Garden.
Cleveland 103, New York 97
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