Knicks 92, Cavaliers 81: What a funny sport

On a night the Knicks were expected to lose, when even some of their fans rooted for an L, they won their best game of the season.

What a funny sport.

Fresh off of an embarrassing matinee performance against the Dallas Mavericks that saw the Knicks blow a 15-point lead and allow 24 threes, the Knicks, naturally, welcomed one of the NBA’s best teams into their home building and played their best defensive game of the season. After allowng 101 or more points every game of the season, New York locked in and held the third-ranked 3-point shooting team to just 81, which must have been quite the relief for embattled head coach Tom Thibodeau.

Was it enough to save Thibodeau’s job? And how much of this is sustainable long-term? Let’s dive in.

Sloppy Play

From the start, this game felt like a jumbled mess. Both teams were careless with the ball and neither could figure out the referees’ newfound emphasis on traveling. Beyond the calls, it was just an ugly game. The teams combined for 30 turnovers while making just 13 3-pointers, which matched the number of travels that were called on the night, the most this basketball writer has ever seen in a single game. 

If Knicks players felt like they were playing for Thibodeau’s job, it certainly didn’t show on the court early on. While the scoreboard reflected a defense in control, the tape told a different story. The Cavaliers got pretty much whatever they wanted against the starters in the first shift; they just, perhaps mercifully, refused to make any of their open looks. Just before the five-minute mark, with the Knicks leading 10-9, Thibodeau replaced Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett with Deuce McBride and Immanuel Quickley. The Knicks would not allow a point for almost four minutes as they saw their lead extend to double digits. 

If one Knick encapsulated the tone of the first half, it was Barrett, who, to be blunt, was awful. One of the most admirable parts of Barrett’s game has always been his ability to remain even-keeled in the most volatile of environments. There have always been question marks about Barrett the player, but never about the man. At least until recently. This season has seen Barrett become awfully temperamental in his play. When he’s making shots, the well-rounded player that earned a nine-figure contract last summer shines brightly. But when the shots stop falling, his defense and passing often fall as well. 

Which is exactly what happened in the first half last night. Barrett was just 1-8 from the field with five turnovers. He forced shots, missed open teammates, and was beat off the dribble multiple times, including on one play that likely stuck out to Knicks fans when he was dusted by Darius Garland, the man taken two picks after Barrett in the 2019 draft. 

In spite of Barrett (who for some reason played 20 first-half minutes), the Knicks led by as many as 18 early on. Their defense recovered and became the humming, active presence that Thibodeau requires of his teams. And while offensively they weren’t great, they did just enough to continue extending the lead as Cleveland struggled to put the ball in the basket. But, since being a Knicks fan can’t just be easy, New York sat idly by and watched that 18-point lead slip down to just three as they headed into the locker room at halftime.

The Duality of Fanhood

Perhaps the most fitting aspect of this game could have been the reception of fans to this predictable collapse. There was little anger or surprise. Instead, there was a feeling of “just get it over with.” Knicks fans were expecting to lose this game, and some may have even been rooting for it, as Thibodeau’s job could very well have been on the line.

But if some fans wanted the Knicks to lose, the players didn’t get the message. The Knicks came out after halftime determined to right the ship. Barrett, naturally, did a complete 180 and was awesome, scoring 12 in just seven minutes of third-quarter play. Second-year player Quentin Grimes spent 40 minutes on the court chasing Donovan Mitchell around, holding him to just 8-22 from the field. 

The rest followed. The Knicks made life even more difficult for the Cavaliers in the second half, grinding out almost every possession. Deuce McBride, who replaced Cam Reddish in the rotation, brought energy and commitment to the defensive end. When McBride joins Grimes and Quickley the Knicks level of intensity is unparalleled. 

And yet, a cloud of lethargy hovers over this franchise. The Knicks are now 2-0 in games it felt like Thibodeau was coaching for his job, and neither was overwhelmingly positive. Obi Toppin, now in his third season and still without quite being given a chance, played just 13 minutes. Cam Reddish, who just a couple of weeks ago was starting and playing over 30 minutes regularly, was left out of the rotation entirely. So was Derrick Rose. Except regarding Rose, Thibodeau was quick to point out that resting him on the second night of a back-to-back played a factor. Did he not watch the same game we did?

This is why, as the Knicks walked off the court victorious, pushed over the finish line by more clutch play from Brunson, many fans were unsure of how to feel. Wins should always be good, but how many extra days did this win buy Thibodeau as the Knicks head coach? Are the rotation changes he made permanent? The inability to choose a path continues to haunt the Knicks. They keep trying to limp the can up the street; the only problem is by the time it gets there it might be too late. The Knicks want to have their cake and eat it too, but right now are enjoying neither. One win doesn’t change all of that. Could two?