SB Nation New York - Knicks 123, Cavaliers 107: Knicks Clinch First Playoff Berth Since 2004https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48977/ny-fave.png2011-04-03T22:49:06-04:00http://newyork.sbnation.com/rss/stream/18519212011-04-03T22:49:06-04:002011-04-03T22:49:06-04:00Knicks 123, Cavaliers 107: Knicks Clinch Playoff Berth With Win Over Cavs
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a> finally figured out the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a>, and in the process, clinched a playoff berth for the first time since the 2003-04 season, way back when <span>Stephon Marbury</span> was running the show. This time around, the Knicks’ new stars, <span>Amare Stoudemire</span>, <span>Carmelo Anthony</span> and <span>Chauncey Billups</span> lead the Knicks into the postseason. It hasn’t been all smiles since the Knicks acquired Anthony and Billups, but no one expected a championship this season anyway. And even if this is a totally different team than the one that started the season, the Knicks have achieved their goal. And that’s the first time that can be said about this franchise in a long time.</p>
<p>It all started when Amare Stoudemire took an admirable leap, choosing to come to the Knicks as a free agent. Sure, getting a $100 million contract helped his decision, but Stoudemire should be given credit for accepting one of the toughest challenges in the league, in the country’s most vicious media market. It was Stoudemire’s decision that set the main piece in place.</p>
<p>We cannot yet truly judge the trade that brought Anthony and Billups here. That will come with Anthony’s time as a Knick, and whether or not he can help lead the team to a title. That won’t happen this year, and it is unfair to truly criticize the trade until a while down the road.</p>
<p>As for tonight, the Knicks finally got a monkey off their back, beating the NBA’s worst team for the first time in four tries this season. Stoudemire led the way with 28 points and seven rebounds, a performance that looked a lot like the early season, pre-trade Stoudemire. That bodes well for the Knicks heading into the postseason.</p>
<p>With six games remaining, the Knicks are playing for seeding. With the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a> cementing their place atop the conference, it’s becoming increasingly likely that the Knicks will either play the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a> or the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> in the first round. You wouldn’t favor the Knicks in either series, but you probably can’t count them out completely, especially against the Heat. Either way, the Knicks will play at least four extra games this season. Postseason basketball is back at Madison Square Garden. It’s been a long, long time.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-knicks/2011/4/3/2089433/knicks-123-cavaliers-107-knicks-clinch-carmelo-anthony-amare-stoudemire-chauncey-billupsChris Celletti2011-04-03T12:00:24-04:002011-04-03T12:00:24-04:00New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: Not the Cavs Again!
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<p>Here they come again. Those pesky Cleveland Cavaliers. Yes, the 15-60 Cavs. Of those paltry 15 wins this season, three of them have come against the New York Knicks. Here's how:</p>
<p><b>December 18 - Cavaliers 109, Knicks 102 (OT): </b>The Cavs underwent a stretch where they played 37 basketball games, and went 1-36. That lone victory came in overtime against the Knicks on December 18. This was back in the days of <span>Danilo Gallinari</span>, <span>Raymond Felton</span> and <span>Wilson Chandler</span> - you know, those guys who have helped the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> solidify a playoff spot in the vaunted Western Conference. Mo Williams, now a member of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a>, led the Cavs with 23 points and 14 assists, including six in the overtime period.</p>
<p><b>February 25 - Cavaliers 115, Knicks 109: </b>So here was <span>Carmelo Anthony</span> as a Knick. Surely now, the Knicks wouldn't drop any games to teams like the lowly Cavs, right? Wrong. New York's defense, as bad as ever, allowed 115 points, including 31 by Antawn Jamison. It was only Anthony and <span>Chauncey Billups</span>' second game in Knicks unis, so there was the built-in "no chemistry" excuse. Surely, by the time they next played, the Knicks would be able to figure out these mystic Cavaliers.</p>
<p><b>March 4 - Cavaliers 119, Knicks 115: </b>As if the Knicks' defense was trying to out-bad itself, the Knicks fell flat on their face on March 4, when they lost once more to the Cavaliers. This time, Cleveland put up 119 points, snapping a 26-game road losing streak in the process. The Knicks would win their next three games, but this loss acted as a crystal ball into New York's most recent skid, prior to their wins against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/new-jersey-nets">New Jersey Nets</a> this past week.</p>
<p>Three games, three terrible, mystifying losses. Are the Cavaliers just a bad matchup for the Knicks? You wouldn't think so, given that they don't have much in the size department, and aren't a great offensive team. In fact, they average just 95 points a game, but somehow score so easily against the Knicks. The Knicks simply haven't taken their games against the Cavaliers seriously, and it will be interesting to see if the outcome is any different on Sunday.</p>
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<p class="game-title"><a href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> <br> <span>@ <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a> </span></p>
<p class="game-info"><span>Sunday, Apr 3, 2011, 6:00 PM EDT</span><br> Madison Square Garden</p>
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https://newyork.sbnation.com/2011/4/3/2332648/new-york-knicks-vs-cleveland-cavaliers-not-the-cavs-againChris Celletti