The Cavaliers had shocked the Knicks twice before this season, defeating them for two of the team's eleven wins.
Last night was in no way different, except for the fact that the loss came at the hands of newest Cav, Baron Davis, who was acquired by the team at the trading deadline.
Davis came off the bench to score 12 of his 18 points in the 4th quarter as the Cavs went on a run, stomping all over the Knicks in the final minutes.
With his team up one point, Davis hit a stifling three-pointer that essentially put the Knicks away.
Amar'e Stoudemire tied a season-high 41 points, and Carmelo Anthony added 29, but it was simply wasn't enough.
While many fans will note that the defensive intensity wasn't where it should've been (and that may be true), more than anything else, the Knicks lacked that killer instinct defeat the Cavs. This is a team the Knicks should obviously be beating on a regular basis as they continue their climb to consistent respectability. That simply didn't happen.
Jared Jeffries, who took a charge on his way to playing good defense, is all too familiar with this type of loss, as this is the type of game the Knicks of last season would have lost on a regular basis.
Things may have changed, but even the Knicks of new still seem to lack that killer instinct. Perhaps it will come as the new-look team develops more chemistry.
However, this season season is different and the new Knicks cannot afford to let this happen again. If the team wants respect and recognition for improvement, things need to change. More comment from the likes of Stoudemire and the Cavs' Davis to come on this embarrassing loss.
Some positives for the Knicks, though? Small victories came from former Nuggets Anthony Carter and Shelden Williams; Carter poured in 8 points and Williams had 5 points and 4 rebounds, receiving minutes in the absence of Ronny Turiaf, who sat out with a sore left knee.
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