Knicks @ Cavaliers

[Glen Infante]

vs

New York Knicks (22-55) @ Cleveland Cavaliers(47-31)

Thursday, April 13, 2006
Time: 8:00pm
TV: TNT
Radio: WTAM 1100 or WMMS (Depends if Tribe is on or not.)
Location: Quicken Loans Arena

Head Coaches

Larry Brown / Mike Brown

Probable Staters

Steve Francis / Eric Snow

Jamal Crawford/ Flip Murray

Qyntel Woods / Larry Hughes

Malik Rose / Drew Gooden

Eddy Curry / Zydrunas Ilguaskas

Coming off the Bench

Cleveland Cavaliers Bench

A Varejao / S Pavlovic / D Marshall / Damon Jones /

New York Knicks Bench

T Ariza / N Robinson / M Taylor
​

Injuries

Cleveland Cavaliers
L James / Ankle
M. Andriuskevicius / Back
L. Jackson / Wrist

New York Knicks
C. Frye / Knee
S. Marbury / Knee
Q. Richardson / Thumb
J. Rose / Foot and Knee


TEAM LEADERS:

Cleveland Cavaliers -
James, 31.6 ppg and 6.6 apg;
Gooden, 8.6 rpg.

New York Knicks -
Marbury, 16.3 ppg and 6.4 apg;
Curry, 6.1 rpg.

SEASON SERIES:
Knicks, 2-0.

The Cleveland Cavaliers were just getting used to the idea of being back in the playoffs when the biggest reason why they are headed there limped off the court.

A day after their franchise player sprained his ankle, the Cavaliers might be wise to rest LeBron James even if he feels ready to play when they take on the New York Knicks.

James landed awkwardly during the third quarter of a 96-73 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday and did not return to the game.

The Cavaliers said his status is day to day, but considering they are locked in to the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, the team has little reason to risk playing him again so soon.

The MVP candidate, however, did not feel the injury would force any long-term absence.

"It's sprained pretty good, but nothing serious," said James, who had 22 points - the first time in 11 games he's scored below 30.

"You never really know until the next day, but I've had them before, and this is nothing that bad."

James has not missed a game since being drafted in 2003.

"If I don't feel 100 percent tomorrow, I won't go," said James, third in the league with 31.6 points per game.

When he left the game, the Cavaliers trailed by 24 in a game in which they were clearly outmatched. Other than James, only Zydrunas Ilgauskas had more than eight points as the team struggled offensively, shooting 35.1 percent from the floor and 2-of-16 from 3-point range.

Detroit, the top seed in the Eastern Conference, held Cleveland to 10 points in the second quarter and 29 in the first half.

"They showed us what playoff basketball is all about," said coach Mike Brown, whose Cavs are back in the postseason for the first time since 1997-98. "It will be good for us to have gone through this if we learn from it."

The Knicks' three-game winning streak ended on Monday in a 101-82 loss to the Indiana Pacers.

Jamal Crawford led the Knicks with 26 points and seven assists, but no other Knicks player scored more than 12 points.

"Tonight, we just ran out of gas," Crawford said. "But that is not an excuse. They played with a sense of urgency and desperation trying to make the playoffs."

It's been a rough season for the Knicks, who are without many of their most productive players. Channing Frye is out for the season with a knee injury while Quentin Richardson, Stephon Marbury and Jalen Rose are doubtful against the Cavaliers because of injuries.

CBS-Sportsline

LAST MEETING:
April 5; Knicks, 96-94. At New York, Crawford scored 37 points, including the go-ahead jumper with 6.4 seconds left. New York ended its nine-game losing streak and while stopping Cleveland's winning streak at nine.

ROAD/HOME RECORDS:
Cavaliers - 29-10 at home;
Knicks - 7-31 on the road.

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[cdt]

I hate Jamal Crawford..

 

[PIP]

Like I said the other day... If I see him this afternoon, i'm running his ass over...

 

[highplainsdrifter]

I dont like the NY Knicks. I would be very disappointed if we got swept by them, esp when they are terrible this year. Gotta bounce back from last night's embarassment.

It will probably good to have LeBron rest. Hopefully it will build the players confidence that they can play without him. Maybe then when he comes back they wont fall into the trap of sitting back and letting LeBron do everything. Should be interesting at least tonite.

 

[cdt]

No Steve Francis tonight..we should win by 500

 

[cdt]

Larry Hughes is playing terrible. Blew a dunk, a wide open jumper and just turned it over..

 

[highplainsdrifter]

Its weird to watch the Cavs without LBJ. Feels strange. Just not as exciting.

 

[cdt]

Definately boring :thumbdown..wish we had Nate Rob instead of Snow :/

Hughes at the end of one..0-6

 

[highplainsdrifter]

Yeah Hughes needs to find his offense. The Black Shark AKA DYell Marshall shooting well! I think SuperFlip will lead the team to victory tonite!

 

[highplainsdrifter]

Check that.....BLACK SHARK will lead the team to victory!!! He's on FIRE!!!
Hughes looks just awful.

 

[PIP]

Check that.....BLACK SHARK will lead the team to victory!!! He's on FIRE!!!
Hughes looks just awful.

Black Shark my ass...

BLACK TUNA pulls a couple nice shots outta his ass and he's a Shark now ?

Pffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff

 

[highplainsdrifter]

How dare you disrespect the Black Shark!? He makes Jaws look like a pussy! You will be singing his praises as he leads the Cavs to victory!

 

[highplainsdrifter]

Im staring to enjoy this game. Its cool for the other players to get a chance to have the spotlight. Competitive game so far.

 

[The One]

Larry Hughes 2-12 at the half.

 

[cavincali]

Larry Hughes 2-12 at the half.

Its not how you start its how you finish.