Garland Powers Cavaliers to Glorious Victory Against Knicks, Stays Unbeaten in the Season
Darius Garland Shines with Season-High 34 Points
In a spectacular display of skill and determination, Darius Garland notched up a season-high 34 points, with an impressive 15-point contribution in the fourth quarter alone. This stellar performance powered the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 110-104 triumph over the New York Knicks, cementing their unbeaten 4-0 run this season on Monday night.
Donovan Mitchell chipped in with 25 points, while Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen contributed 17 and 15 points respectively. Allen also boasted a double-double, with 15 rebounds under his belt, propelling the Cavaliers to their best start since they commenced their successful defense of their 2016 NBA title with a 6-0 run.
Knicks Struggle Despite Early Lead
Despite an early 13-point lead in the second half, the Knicks (1-2) were unable to sustain their advantage. Jalen Brunson led the pack with 21 points and seven assists. Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart added 19 and 16 points respectively, with Hart also pulling down 13 rebounds. OG Anunoby chipped in with 15 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns, who fouled out, managed to add 13 points and 10 boards to the tally.
Cavaliers’ Coach Cautions of Tougher Schedule Ahead
The Cavaliers’ coach, Kenny Atkinson, warned of an impending challenging schedule, after a relatively smooth Toronto-Detroit-Washington start. His team, however, passed the first test with flying colors, even though they fell short of the 128-point average of their initial three games.
The Knicks, despite having a talented roster, struggled to compensate for an off-night from Brunson. After an apparent ankle injury in the third quarter, Brunson was only able to contribute 8 for 24.
Garland’s Three-Pointer Seals the Game
Garland’s three-pointer in the fourth quarter proved to be the game-changer. It snuffed out the Knicks’ final lead halfway through the period, and he followed up with back-to-back three-pointers, opening an eight-point lead for the Cavaliers.
Upcoming Games
The Cavaliers are set to welcome LeBron James and his Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Knicks are heading south to embark on a four-game road trip, starting with the Miami Heat on Wednesday.
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