Cavaliers an excessive amount of for Knicks as Donovan Mitchell dominates

CLEVELAND — The Knicks may undoubtedly use Donovan Mitchell. Positively on Sunday night time and possibly past.

The previous commerce goal completely dominated the Knicks roster within the Cavs’ 121-108 victory, turning the fourth quarter into a private showcase with an unsaid message hanging over the proceedings: New York’s entrance workplace screwed up.

In fact, there are months and years to find out whether or not that’s correct. However it certain regarded that approach Sunday.

Mitchell scored 38 factors with 12 assists, operating over the Knicks down the stretch. The Cavs outscored the Knicks within the fourth quarter, 37-15, when Mitchell contributed 12 factors and 4 assists. He additionally supplied the night time’s spotlight, a hovering one-handed dunk after he spun round Obi Toppin.

The Knicks, who blew a nine-point benefit within the fourth quarter, bought double-digit scoring from RJ Barrett (15), Jalen Brunson (16), Evan Fournier (16) and Julius Randle (15).

However they couldn’t sustain with Mitchell and Kevin Love, who knocked down eight 3-pointers and completed with 29 factors.

Mitchell got here out like he had some extent to show. The Westchester product scored 15 factors with 5 assists in about 8 minutes, pulling down 5 treys within the first quarter.

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The Knicks had been the favorites all summer season to land Mitchell, negotiating with the Utah Jazz whereas dangling their future draft picks and virtually whole roster. However they didn’t dangle sufficient.

The Cavs swooped in and now personal the Japanese Convention’s second-best report at 5-1 with 5 consecutive victories. Mitchell scored a minimum of 31 factors in 5 of these video games.

The Knicks (4-3), in the meantime, dropped their second straight with a shoddy protection.

Thibodeau, in accordance with sources, was in favor of buying Mitchell and stated he may make a backcourt with Jalen Brunson work. On Friday, he declined to entertain questions in regards to the failed commerce negotiations.

“You already know the reply to that,” he stated. “We don’t cope with hypotheticals.”

However the respect from Thibodeau was clear.

“He’s a terrific participant,” the Knicks coach stated. “If you dig into their numbers you clearly see the affect that he’s had. He’s a high-end expertise. He was that in Utah, he’s that right here. When you’ve a participant like that it’s going to make everybody else rather a lot higher and he’s achieved that. The best way he’s performed, he assaults. His shot profile is excellent.”