Irving, Cavaliers dominate Knicks
NEW YORK -- Kyrie Irving continued his mastery over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, scoring 28 points in the Cleveland Cavaliers' 126-94 win over the Knicks on Wednesday.
Irving is averaging 28.4 points in six games at Madison Square Garden, his highest scoring average among all NBA arenas.
LeBron James added 25 points and Kevin Love contributed 21 points in the Cavaliers' second straight road win. Cleveland knocked off the Toronto Raptors 116-112 on Monday.
It was the sixth time this season and the 16th time since the 2014-15 season that Irving, James and Love all scored at least 20 points in a game.
Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson grabbed 20 rebounds for the second time in his career.
Cleveland (15-5) was 22 of 40 from 3-point range against New York.
The loss cooled off the hottest team in the Eastern Conference, as New York (12-10) won nine of its previous 12 games. Brandon Jennings, filling in for the injured Derrick Rose (back spasms) scored 16 points, and Courtney Lee dropped in 15. Carmelo Anthony, who was double-teamed on numerous occasions, scored only eight points in 23 minutes.
The Cavaliers have won six straight at Madison Square Garden and eight in a row overall against the Knicks.
During those eight straight wins, Cleveland's defense limited the Knicks to fewer than 90 points seven times.
Cleveland was 15 of 30 from long distance through the three quarters and led 92-65. Irving netted 11 points in the third quarter.
A 3-pointer from the right corner by Love and a dunk from James in transition put Cleveland up 68-48 with 10:11 left in the third.
James had his best scoring half this season, pouting in 19 points before the break for a 63-48 Cavaliers lead.
Love poured in 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting to help Cleveland to a 36-26 first-quarter advantage. It was the second most points he scored in a quarter this season.
NOTES: Cleveland G J.R. Smith was out with a hyperextended knee. He is day-to-day. ... G Derrick Rose missed his first regular-season game with the Knicks because of back spasms. He was sent to get an MRI exam Wednesday night. ... F LeBron James went through with his threat to not stay with the Cavaliers at Trump SoHo on Tuesday night, instead staying at a nearby hotel. "I'm not trying to make a statement," James said. "It's just my personal preference. At the end of the day, I hope he's one of the best presidents ever, for all of our sakes -- my family, for all of us. It's just my personal preference." ... The Knicks embark on a five-game road trip starting Friday in Sacramento. ... Cleveland returns home for a three-game homestand that begins Friday against James' former team, the Miami Heat.