Knicks 91, Cavaliers 75
KNICKS 91, CAVALIERS 75: J.R. Smith picked up depleted New York with 20 points and nine rebounds off the bench as the Knicks handed visiting Cleveland, which was without Kyrie Irving, its seventh straight loss.
Tyson Chandler recorded 14 points and 12 boards and Carmelo Anthony scored 19 points for the Knicks, who learned earlier Saturday that Jeremy Lin would miss at least the rest of the regular season because of a torn meniscus in his left knee.
Lin, who picked up New York with his brilliant play while Anthony was out last month, will have surgery next week, putting him out at least six weeks.
The Knicks took control with defense in the first quarter Saturday, turning a 13-11 deficit into a 25-13 edge by holding the Cavaliers scoreless for nearly five minutes. Anthony and Baron Davis hit back-to-back 3-pointers to spark the offense.
Cleveland never led again but pulled to within 70-66 early in the fourth quarter before Smith and Anthony took over. The pair combined for the next 11 points by the Knicks to stretch it back out.
Irving, who is the leading contender for Rookie of the Year honors, suffered a shoulder injury Friday.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Neither team reached 40 percent shooting. … The Knicks have won nine of their last 11. … Antawn Jamison scored 13 points on 5-of-15 shooting and added seven rebounds to lead Cleveland.