NEW YORK: LeBron James began the day declaring the Cavaliers were ready to make a championship run. He ended it with his third triple-double of the season on a night the Cavs lived up to their position as the premier team in the Eastern Conference.
James’ playoff-mode approach to the end of the regular season continued Saturday with 27 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in the Cavs’ easy 107-93 victory against the New York Knicks. The Cavs handled the Knicks while Kyrie Irving sat out to rest and Tristan Thompson matched Jim Chones’ franchise record of 361 consecutive games played.
Kevin Love had 28 points and 12 rebounds and J.R. Smith had 13 points for the Cavs, who returned to form following an embarrassing 104-95 loss at the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday. The Cavs have battled inconsistent play and lethargic performances throughout the season, but James doubled down on the Cavs’ title hopes Saturday despite so many frustrating losses.
“I feel like we’re ready to make a championship run,” James said. “I’m confident in this team and I know we can make a championship run and that’s all you can ask for.”
The Cavs dominated the Knicks throughout the first half Saturday and led by 25 early in the third quarter. They maintained an 89-72 lead to start the fourth before the Knicks cut the gap to 10, but James prevented them from getting within single digits. His defensive rebound and layup at the other end pushed the lead to 103-89 and his free throws later pushed the lead to 107-89 en route to his 42nd career triple-double.
As they have done so often this season, the Cavs let an inferior opponent back in the game. But this time they at least took control again before the Knicks truly threatened to make it a game. Such is life this season with a Cavs team that has appeared bored at times with the regular season.
“It is what it is with our team sometimes, the way we come out,” James said before the game. “But I believe in what we have and I know we can win a championship with the group we have. I’m confident in my abilities to lead this group and everything else is just smoke and mirrors and don’t even matter to me.”
Thompson matched Chones’ record when he checked into the game in the first quarter. Coach Tyronn Lue revealed Thompson’s hand was bothering him a few games ago and Lue threatened to hold him out to let it heal. Thompson refused to come out because of the streak, although Lue is thinking of other ways to rest him.
“I said he was going to be out. He went crazy,” Lue said. “He ain’t going to let me sit him. I might play him two minutes one game and get him out of there. We’ll see how he takes that.”
Jason Lloyd can be reached at jlloyd@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Cavs blog at www.ohio.com/cavs. Follow him on Twitter www.twitter.com/JasonLloydABJ.