Brunson and Towns Lead Knicks Past Cavaliers

The Knicks pulled away for a 109-97 victory over the Cavaliers in Cleveland on November 7, in the teams’ first meeting since New York swept last season’s Eastern Conference finals. New York’s win was built around Jalen Brunson’s scoring and Karl-Anthony Towns’ contribution of 29 points.

Brunson scored 31 points and had nine assists. With Cleveland ahead 39-37 in the second quarter, he hit a three-pointer and then scored 18 consecutive Knicks points over 4 minutes, 24 seconds, putting New York in front, 52-45. On the next possession, after his shot was blocked, he recovered the ball and passed to Landry Shamet, who made a three-pointer to extend the lead to 10.

Cleveland fought back behind Donovan Mitchell, who put up 21 points in the fourth, bringing his season-best total to 37. Brunson sank a crucial shot from midrange with less than three minutes left, helping New York quash the rally.

The teams’ last playoff series ended in a Knicks sweep, including a 37-point New York victory in Game 4 in Cleveland. Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said he had not meant earlier comments to suggest New York was not the better team, adding that the Knicks had dominated the series and later won the Finals.

New York played without guard Josh Hart for a second game in a row because of an ankle problem, which coach Mike Brown described as not major. Cleveland was without Jarrett Allen, Jaylon Tyson and Sam Merrill, each listed with an injury. New York is set to host Milwaukee on November 10, while Cleveland visits Charlotte on November 9.