Game Day: Knicks @ Cavs, 12/29/20
The Knicks and Cavs face off tonight in Cleveland. Will the Cavs exact revenge for the Knicks’ two preseason drubbings? Or can the Knicks keep the energy going from their huge upset over the Bucks? Both teams are chock full of injuries, either way. Jon Schulman gets you prepared (and feel free to comment along!).
The Knicks have been in Cleveland the past two days getting ready to take on their preseason punching bags, the Cavs. This will be a pretty different crew though now that Collin Sexton is back in the fold. A lot more offensive punch and energy all of the sudden. We shall see just how real the Knicks’ flaming of the Bucks on Sunday was. Can Elfrid Payton really attack all night and be a 20 points a night type of guy? Is Frank Ntilikina really a sopping wet sniper? And who intends to put a stop to this:
The biggest question of all is, just how long can we expect this version of Julius Randle to bring it like that? Julius is the cog in a mighty barrel of a wheel. If I were truly a Knicks fan, I’d expect that eventually this mutant bike is gonna chunk its way over to the bike kill, get a little too drunk and leave the exploded, corroded parts in a gutter. Gleaming orange for the next crusty to have a vision.
Guard Rails
Probably gonna get the same starters in New York for at least the next stretch of games. Elfrid staked his claim to the starting spot on every corner of the tent. It was blowing away in the Immanuel Quickley wind, but a hip pointer stopped that in its tracks and Elfrid capitalized. I really hated seeing that in a certain way. Of course I loved watching the Knicks win, I just am disappointed that everyone glossed over the career night it took to get there. Career nights are not sustainable.
Having said all that junk, with the Knicks missing Quickley, Alec Burks, and Austin Rivers, another great showing is desperately needed from the point guard rotation. Elfrid and Frank shot magnificently from beyond the arc against Milwaukee and they’ll have to do a repeat performance in an effort to make up for the missing pieces. Even if they don’t go on a scoring rampage, they’ll need to do a lot of dirty work to keep the Cavs’ backcourt duo from taking off, and that’s a two-way job. I’m also looking at RJ Barrett to shoulder more of the load, but that means he’ll need to make those open looks he is typically granted.
Yes, as a matter of fact, I do.
That’s étoufée right there, folks. A staple in Cajun cooking, it is literally the French for “smothered” and that’s what they’ll need to be. Sexton and Garland combined for a raunchy 89 points over their last two games against Detroit and Philadelphia. It may have taken them ten frames to do it because of double overtime in Detroit, but points is points and having the most points is the point. Will they be able to use their speedy vapor, screeching around the floor at will, or can Frank Ntilikina and Elfrid Payton use their size and length to stay in front and contest without fouling?
That’s one of the big issues with Ntilikina still. Getting overzealous cutting off a path or diving in for a poke away as you cross body block the man with the ball. His footwork getting over screens is still best on the team and he has the ability to flip his hips and the length to flood the rearview it’s just a matter of doing enough and not too much. Our friend Mitchell Robinson struggles with it too. These are the foibles of youth. Let them play with five fouls if you have to. With so many guards out due to injury, the guard rails hopefully are off for Ntilikina tonight.
Aside from that, Julius Randle will have to barbecue Larry Nance Jr. and the rest of the Cleveland big boys.
Knicks by -7.
Warm Up Music
I know it took all of Kaaris’ energy to keep his shirt on for this one. He had to have been hype, just trying to play it cool. The increased reliance on Ntilikina in the rotation will have to do the same tonight with the short handed Knicks. Hulk out, bro, but keep your shirt on. You too, Mitchell Robinson!
Étoufée sur trois: un, deux, trois: étoufée!
