Knicks at Cavaliers
The New York Knicks had their 13-game winning streak snapped in Chicago on Thursday, a loss that assures there will be some drama entering the weekend. The Knicks remain in the driver's seat for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference but their lead over Indiana is only two games entering Friday's matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers. New York cannot afford a slip-up with a matchup against the Pacers looming on Sunday.
The Knicks have won four of the last five meetings with Cleveland, including both this season by a total of six points. The Cavaliers have played poorly over the past month, dropping 12 of 14, and are coming off a home loss to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday. Cleveland could not contain the inside game of Detroit, but that won't be an issue against New York's perimeter-oriented offense.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), Fox Sports Ohio (Cleveland)
ABOUT THE KNICKS (51-27): Carmelo Anthony scored 36 points and had a season-high 19 rebounds in the loss to Chicago, setting a franchise record by scoring at least 35 points in six straight games. J.R. Smith added 28 points and a career-best 14 rebounds, but the duo combined to his only 24-of-61 shots. New York's big men - Tyson Chandler (neck), Kenyon Martin (knee, ankle), Marcus Camby (foot) - are all hurt, forcing Chris Copeland to start at center Thursday. According to media reports out of New York, the Knicks will release forward Kurt Thomas and sign forward Chris Singleton.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (24-54): Cleveland has been dealing with injuries to its young backcourt of Kyrie Irving and rookie Dion Waiters. Irving missed eight games at the end of last month with a shoulder injury and Waiters returned Wednesday after missing 10 games with a sore knee. The team's two leading scorers have played together in only 34 games. "The more they can play together the better," Cavaliers coach Byron Scott said. "They still have to get to know each other on the basketball court."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Anthony missed the first matchup with Cleveland due to a sprained ankle and scored only six points in the second before leaving with a knee injury.
2. Irving scored a career-high 41 points in a one-point loss at New York in December.
3. The Knicks have hit 847 3-pointers, breaking the NBA single-season record set by Orlando (841) in 2009-10.