Cavaliers at Knicks
THE STORY: Two of the young, blossoming point guards in the league square off Wednesday when top overall pick Kyrie Irving and the Cavaliers visit Jeremy Lin and the New York Knicks. Lin didn’t play when the Knicks visited the Cavaliers on Jan. 25; his outburst began nearly two weeks later. The two squared off in Friday’s Rising Stars game as part of All-Star weekend. Irving scored 34 points and earned the MVP award, but Lin was coming off a back-to-back and played only nine quiet minutes in the game.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Ohio, MSG
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (13-19): On the cusp of the playoffs, the Cavaliers lost a thriller at home to Boston on Tuesday when they fell behind by 16 and rallied to take the lead, only to lose in the final seconds. The Cavaliers have fallen into huge deficits early in games all season, something coach Byron Scott is trying to correct. He needs more scoring punch out of his starters. Irving had 24 points against Boston, but the rest of the starters combined for just 23 points.
ABOUT THE KNICKS (17-18): Amar’e Stoudemire returned to the Knicks following the All-Star break promising a better second half. It won’t take much. Stoudemire is averaging 17.5 points per game, which is about eight points fewer than last season and is putting him on pace to have his worst statistical season since his rookie year. His time on the court with Lin has been clunky, but Stoudemire said his game always improves in the second half of the season and he doesn’t expect this to be any different. “Stay tuned,” he said.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Irving made all three of his 3-point attempts and has now made 11 consecutive 3-pointers dating back to Friday night’s Rising Stars exhibition.
2. The Knicks’ Steve Novak is fifth in the league in 3-point shooting at 46 percent.
3. Lin is averaging 22.6 points, 8.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds in his last 12 games.