CLEVELAND _ Who saw that coming?
For the first time in 10 tries, the Knicks beat the Cavaliers on Sunday, 114-95, behind an offensive explosion from Tim Hardaway Jr. and continued excellence from Kristaps Porzinigis.
It wasn't just that the Knicks won against the three-time defending Eastern Conference champs. They dominated them for three quarters, and then finished them with a strong counterpunch as LeBron James watched garbage time helplessly.
The Cavaliers (3-4) are a mess in their post-Kyrie Irving era, now losers of four of their last five games _ all against teams in the lottery last season. There was hope they'd be stimulated by the return of Derrick Rose, who started Sunday against his former team following a four-game absence because of a sprained ankle.
If anything, the Knicks were inspired.
Picking up where it left off in Friday's blowout win over the Nets, New York jumped out to a 10-point lead in the first quarter. Cleveland cut a 17-point to 6 in the fourth quarter, but the Knicks responded with a 7-0 run to bury the Cavs.
James, playing in the second night of a back-to-back, appeared exhausted and was pulled midway through the first quarter. He never regained his energy while playing 39 minutes, finishing with just 16 points and 10 rebounds. The King didn't have much bounce.
Hardaway Jr., meanwhile, dropped 24 of his 34 points in the first half, representing his best performance by far in his Knicks rebirth.
Up until Sunday, it was a struggle for the $72 million man.
"We all tell him to calm down and let the game come to him. He's pushing it a little bit right now," Knicks president Steve Mills said Hardaway Jr. hit 11 of his 19 shots _ including 5-for-10 from beyond the arc. "But the one thing we're not worried about is his shots are going to start falling. The guy can shoot and make shots. That's where he's struggling the most right now. I think it's the pressure of him wanting to be a leader of the team and wanting to do well. I think that will calm down for him and that will get better."
Porzingis finished with 32 points and 12 boards, showing off his improved moves in the post. He has scored at least 30 points in three of the first four games. Enes Kanter demonstrated why Jeff Hornacek chose him over Willy Hernangomez, dropping 18 points with 12 rebounds.
Only three days prior, the Knicks were the only winless team in the NBA. Now they have fewer defeats than the Cavaliers, whose struggles are the biggest story the NBA. Against the Knicks, they trailed for the final 42 minutes.
