GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NBA: NEW YORK (0-0) at CLEVELAND (0-1)

[SportsTicker]

NBA: NEW YORK (0-0) at CLEVELAND (0-1)

<h3>James and Cavaliers host Thomas' Knicks</h3>

CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- LeBron James' season debut did not goaccording to plan. Meanwhile, Isiah Thomas and the New YorkKnicks are just happy the season is finally here.


James looks to rebound from a poor outing when the Cavaliershost the Knicks on Friday.


James, who led the Cavaliers to the Finals last season, scoredjust 10 points on 2-of-11 shooting and committed five turnoversin a 92-74 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night.

While James' woes were on the court, Thomas and the Knicks wentthrough a tumultuous offseason and will be glad to finally playa game.


Thomas and star guard Stephon Marbury were embroiled in a sexualharrassment case that became a public relations disaster.

The Knicks made some major changes in the offseason in anattempt to reach the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.They acquired forward Zach Randolph and guard Fred Jones fromPortland for forward Channing Frye and shipped out Steve Francisto Houston.


The 6-9 Randolph averaged a career-high 23.7 points and 10.1rebounds for the Trail Blazers a season ago, but will have tofind a way to co-exist with Eddy Curry, who is a similar type ofplayer.


Curry also averaged a career-high 19.7 points in his first seasonwith the Knicks.


Both Curry and Randolph are post players that can dominate ontheir own and are used to being the "go-to guy" on a team. Howthey mesh will be a big indicator of good New York will be.

The teams split four meetings last season.

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: NEW YORK at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">NEW YORK AT CLEVELAND - PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS


NEW YORK CLEVELAND

F Quentin Richardson F Drew Gooden
F Zach Randolph F LeBron James
C Eddy Curry C Zydrunas Ilgauskas
G Jamal Crawford G Daniel Gibson
G Stephon Marbury G Larry Hughes

OFFICIALS: Bill Spooner
Bennett Salvatore
Gary Zielinski</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: NEW YORK at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">NBA NEW YORK 10
CLEVELAND 10 8:55 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: NEW YORK at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">NBA NEW YORK 19
CLEVELAND 21 5:30 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: NEW YORK at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">NBA NEW YORK 28
CLEVELAND 26 3:00 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: NEW YORK at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">NBA NEW YORK 34
CLEVELAND 32 END, 1ST QTR</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: NEW YORK at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">NBA END 1ST QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
NEW YORK 34 34
CLEVELAND 32 32 END 1ST QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 1ST QUARTER

NYK - EDDY CURRY 10, JAMAL CRAWFORD 8, ZACH
RANDOLPH 6
CLE - DANIEL GIBSON 11, LEBRON JAMES 10, LARRY
HUGHES 5</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: NEW YORK at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">NBA NEW YORK 34
CLEVELAND 34 9:00 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: NEW YORK at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">NBA NEW YORK 43
CLEVELAND 39 6:00 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: NEW YORK at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">NBA NEW YORK 47
CLEVELAND 45 2:33 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: NEW YORK at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">NBA NEW YORK 54
CLEVELAND 55 HALFTIME</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: NEW YORK at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">NBA HALFTIME 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
NEW YORK 34 20 54
CLEVELAND 32 23 55 HALFTIME

HIGH SCORERS AT HALFTIME

NYK - EDDY CURRY 14, JAMAL CRAWFORD 10,
QUENTIN RICHARDSON 10
CLE - LEBRON JAMES 23, DANIEL GIBSON 12, DREW
GOODEN 8</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: NEW YORK at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">NBA NEW YORK 62
CLEVELAND 62 9:00 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: NEW YORK at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">NBA NEW YORK 72
CLEVELAND 67 6:00 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

[Mr. J]

Re: NBA: NEW YORK (0-0) at CLEVELAND (0-1)

Knicks look improve in just about every aspect. My son Curry has really put in work this offseason. </p>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: NEW YORK at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">NBA NEW YORK 78
CLEVELAND 72 2:30 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: NEW YORK at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">NBA NEW YORK 80
CLEVELAND 75 END, 3RD QTR</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: NEW YORK at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">NBA END 3RD QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
NEW YORK 34 20 26 80
CLEVELAND 32 23 20 75 END 3RD QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 3RD QUARTER

NYK - JAMAL CRAWFORD 19, ZACH RANDOLPH 16,
EDDY CURRY 16
CLE - LEBRON JAMES 29, DREW GOODEN 14, DANIEL
GIBSON 12</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: NEW YORK at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">NBA NEW YORK 90
CLEVELAND 92 5:35 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: NEW YORK at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">NBA NEW YORK 96
CLEVELAND 101 2:35 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: NEW YORK at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">NBA NEW YORK 99
CLEVELAND 105 1:04 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: NEW YORK at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">NBA NEW YORK 106
CLEVELAND 110 FINAL</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: NEW YORK at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
NEW YORK 34 20 26 26 106
CLEVELAND 32 23 20 35 110 FINAL

HIGH SCORERS: NYK - JAMAL CRAWFORD 25, ZACH RANDOLPH 21,
NATE ROBINSON 19
CLE - LEBRON JAMES 45, DANIEL GIBSON 24, DREW
GOODEN 14</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: NEW YORK at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NBA
NEW YORK 106
CLEVELAND 110 FINAL</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- Superstar LeBron James came out withsomething to prove after a poor season debut for the ClevelandCavaliers. He used help from teammate Daniel Gibson to do justthat.


James collected 45 points, seven rebounds and seven assists asthe Cavaliers used a stellar fourth quarter en route to a110-106 victory over the New York Knicks at Quicken Loans Arenaon Friday night.


Gibson scored a regular-season career-high 24 points, includinga barrage of 3-pointers in the final period, as Clevelandoutscored New York, 35-26, to pick up its first win since GameSix of the Eastern Conference finals.


James, who led the Cavaliers to their first Finals appearancelast season, scored just 10 points on 2-of-11 shooting andcommitted five turnovers in a 92-74 loss to the Dallas Maverickson Wednesday night.


It was different story just two days later as James showed offhis full offensive repertoire, notching the highest point totalby a Cavalier against the Knicks in franchise history.

He surpassed former Cleveland star World B. Free, who netted 39against New York on April 9, 1984.


Trailing, 86-83, with seven minutes left, the Cavaliers went ona 20-10 run to take control of the game at 103-96 with justunder two minutes remaining. James scored eight points andGibson nailed four shots from the arc during the spurt.

Cleveland spoiled New York's season opener after a tumultuousoffseason.


It was an embarrassing time for the Knicks and coach IsiahThomas, who spent the summer fending off a sexual harrassmentlawsuit from former team employee Anucha Browne Sanders.

In addition, Thomas is feeling pressure to improve a downtroddenNew York club, which has endured six straight losing seasons,including a 33-49 finish last campaign. The once-proudfranchise last made the playoffs in 2003-04.


But Thomas, who also serves as the team's general manager,acquired high-scoring forward Zach Randolph in the offseason tocomplement franchise centerpiece Eddy Curry in the low post.

It was the coach's desperate attempt at improving the Knickswith his job - and eroding reputation - on the line. However,many questioned how the 6-9 Randolph and 6-11 Curry wouldoperate together on the crowded low block.


The duo worked well together on Friday as Randolph collected 25points and 14 rebounds and Curry added 18 and seven for theKnicks.


In a back-and-forth contest, New York took its largest lead with3:04 left in the third quarter on a 3-pointer by Nate Robinsonto make it 78-69, but could not execute in the fourth.

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: NEW YORK at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">NEW YORK (106) AT CLEVELAND (110)

NEW YORK

REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===

Q RICHARDSON F 35:51 2-6 0-0 1 1 2 1 5 0 1 6
Z RANDOLPH F 40:42 10-23 1-2 5 9 14 3 3 2 4 21
E CURRY C 32:55 9-16 0-5 1 6 7 1 2 0 1 18
J CRAWFORD G 38:02 8-17 8-8 1 1 2 6 2 2 1 25
S MARBURY G 31:13 3-11 3-4 2 1 3 5 2 0 1 10
D LEE 23:46 3-5 1-2 3 5 8 2 1 0 0 7
N ROBINSON 27:05 7-13 1-2 2 4 6 2 3 1 1 19
R BALKMAN 0:46 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0
F JONES 9:40 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 2 0
M ROSE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
M COLLINS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
R MORRIS DNP - COACH'S DECISION

TOTALS 240:00 42-91 14-23 15 28 43 20 22 5 11 106
(.462) (.609) TEAM REBS: 18 TOTAL TO: 11 (4 PTS)

CLEVELAND

REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===

L JAMES F 44:25 13-28 16-22 3 4 7 7 1 3 3 45
D GOODEN F 32:28 7-13 0-0 3 3 6 2 3 2 2 14
Z ILGAUSKAS C 35:37 2-7 4-5 2 10 12 1 5 0 4 8
L HUGHES G 35:54 4-11 0-0 1 3 4 5 5 0 2 9
D GIBSON G 35:38 8-12 2-3 2 0 2 2 3 0 2 24
DW JONES 17:34 1-1 0-1 1 2 3 0 4 0 0 2
DA JONES 16:36 3-4 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 8
D MARSHALL 9:39 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
D BROWN 12:05 0-3 0-0 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 0
I NEWBLE 0:04 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
S BROWN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
C SIMMONS DNP - COACH'S DECISION

TOTALS 240:00 38-81 22-31 13 26 39 18 22 5 13 110
(.469) (.710) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 13 (16 PTS)

NEW YORK 34 20 26 26 - 106
CLEVELAND 32 23 20 35 - 110

BLOCKED SHOTS: NEW YORK - J CRAWFORD, Z RANDOLPH, E CURRY, F JONES,
D LEE. CLEVELAND - Z ILGAUSKAS 2, DW JONES 2, D GIBSON 2, D MARSHALL,
L JAMES.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: NEW YORK 8-15 (.533), Q RICHARDSON 2-5, J CRAWFORD 1-
4, S MARBURY 1-1, N ROBINSON 4-5. CLEVELAND 12-22 (.545), L JAMES 3-
5, L HUGHES 1-2, D GIBSON 6-9, DA JONES 2-2, D MARSHALL 0-2, D BROWN 0-
2.
TECHNICAL FOULS: NONE.
FLAGRANT FOULS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: BENNETT SALVATORE, BILL SPOONER, GARY ZIELINSKI.
A - 20,562. T - 2:24.</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: NEW YORK at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">NEW YORK (106)

fg ft rb
min m-a m-a o-t a pf tp
Q Richardson 35:51 2-6 0-0 1-2 1 5 6
Z Randolph 40:42 10-23 1-2 5-14 3 3 21
E Curry 32:55 9-16 0-5 1-7 1 2 18
J Crawford 38:02 8-17 8-8 1-2 6 2 25
S Marbury 31:13 3-11 3-4 2-3 5 2 10
D Lee 23:46 3-5 1-2 3-8 2 1 7
N Robinson 27:05 7-13 1-2 2-6 2 3 19
R Balkman 0:46 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 3 0
F Jones 9:40 0-0 0-0 0-1 0 1 0
M Rose DNP - COACH'S DECISION
M Collins DNP - COACH'S DECISION
R Morris DNP - COACH'S DECISION

______________________________________________________
TOTALS 240:00 42-91 14-23 15-43 20 22 106
______________________________________________________

Percentages: FG-.462, FT-.609. 3-Point Goals:
8-15, .533 (Q Richardson 2-5, J Crawford 1-4,
S Marbury 1-1, N Robinson 4-5). Team
Rebounds: 18. Blocked Shots:5 (J Crawford, Z
Randolph, E Curry, F Jones, D Lee).
Turnovers:11 (Z Randolph 4, F Jones 2, S
Marbury, J Crawford, N Robinson, E Curry, Q
Richardson). Steals: 5 (J Crawford 2, Z
Randolph 2, N Robinson).


CLEVELAND (110)

fg ft rb
min m-a m-a o-t a pf tp
L James 44:25 13-28 16-22 3-7 7 1 45
D Gooden 32:28 7-13 0-0 3-6 2 3 14
Z Ilgauskas 35:37 2-7 4-5 2-12 1 5 8
L Hughes 35:54 4-11 0-0 1-4 5 5 9
D Gibson 35:38 8-12 2-3 2-2 2 3 24
Dw Jones 17:34 1-1 0-1 1-3 0 4 2
Da Jones 16:36 3-4 0-0 1-1 0 1 8
D Marshall 9:39 0-2 0-0 0-1 1 0 0
D Brown 12:05 0-3 0-0 0-3 0 0 0
I Newble 0:04 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0
S Brown DNP - COACH'S DECISION
C Simmons DNP - COACH'S DECISION

______________________________________________________
TOTALS 240:00 38-81 22-31 13-39 18 22 110
______________________________________________________

Percentages: FG-.469, FT-.710. 3-Point Goals:
12-22, .545 (L James 3-5, L Hughes 1-2, D
Gibson 6-9, Da Jones 2-2, D Marshall 0-2, D
Brown 0-2). Team Rebounds: 10. Blocked
Shots:8 (Z Ilgauskas 2, Dw Jones 2, D Gibson
2, D Marshall, L James). Turnovers:13 (Z
Ilgauskas 4, L James 3, L Hughes 2, D Gibson
2, D Gooden 2). Steals: 5 (L James 3, D
Gooden 2).

--------------------------------------------
NEW YORK 34 20 26 26 - 106
CLEVELAND 32 23 20 35 - 110
--------------------------------------------

Technical fouls: None.
Flagrant fouls: None. A: 20,562. T: 2:24.
Officials: Bennett Salvatore, Bill Spooner,
Gary Zielinski.</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: NEW YORK at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
NEW YORK 34 20 26 26 106
CLEVELAND 32 23 20 35 110 FINAL

HIGH SCORERS: NYK - JAMAL CRAWFORD 25, ZACH RANDOLPH 21,
NATE ROBINSON 19
CLE - LEBRON JAMES 45, DANIEL GIBSON 24, DREW
GOODEN 14

HIGH REBOUND: NYK - ZACH RANDOLPH 14, DAVID LEE 8, EDDY
CURRY 7
CLE - ZYDRUNAS ILGAUSKAS 12, LEBRON JAMES 7,
DREW GOODEN 6

HIGH ASSISTS: NYK - JAMAL CRAWFORD 6, STEPHON MARBURY 5,
ZACH RANDOLPH 3
CLE - LEBRON JAMES 7, LARRY HUGHES 5, TWO
PLAYERS WITH 2

ATT: 20,562</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- Superstar LeBron James came out withsomething to prove after a poor season debut for the ClevelandCavaliers. He used help from teammate Daniel Gibson to do justthat.


James collected 45 points, seven rebounds and seven assists asthe Cavaliers used a stellar fourth quarter en route to a110-106 victory over the New York Knicks at Quicken Loans Arenaon Friday night.


Gibson scored a regular-season career-high 24 points, includinga barrage of 3-pointers in the final period, as Clevelandoutscored New York, 35-26, to pick up its first win since GameSix of the Eastern Conference finals.


Cavaliers coach Mike Brown credited his squad's defensiveintensity for the win.


"In the second half, we defended," Brown said. "The Knicks shot40.4 percent in the second half. We made them take morecontested jump shots."


According to Gibson, it was a big win for Cleveland - despite itbeing early in the season.


"Our team was capable of responding," the second-year guardsaid. "We felt it was big to get this win (getting ready to onthe road for six games)."


James, who led the Cavaliers to their first Finals appearancelast season, scored just 10 points on 2-of-11 shooting andcommitted five turnovers in a 92-74 loss to the Dallas Maverickson Wednesday night.


It was different story just two days later as James showed offhis full offensive repertoire, notching the highest point totalby a Cavalier against the Knicks in franchise history.

"We got beat by a great performance tonight," Knicks coach IsiahThomas said. "(James) wasn't going to let his team lose."

He surpassed former Cleveland star World B. Free, who netted 39against New York on April 9, 1984. However, the All-Starforward talked about his team's performance.


"We had to show more energy than we did on Wednesday," Jamessaid. "That was the main thing."


Trailing, 86-83, with seven minutes left, the Cavaliers went ona 20-10 run to take control of the game at 103-96 with justunder two minutes remaining. James scored eight points andGibson nailed four shots from the arc during the spurt.

"It's not like we haven't seen that before," said James, who wasreferring to Gibson's prowess from the arc - a skill he showedoff in last season's run to the NBA Finals. "Once I get in thelane, it opens up for shots like (Gibson) had."


Cleveland spoiled New York's season opener after a tumultuousoffseason.


It was an embarrassing time for the Knicks and Thomas, who spentthe summer fending off a sexual harrassment lawsuit from formerteam employee Anucha Browne Sanders.


In addition, Thomas is feeling pressure to improve a downtroddenNew York club, which has endured six straight losing seasons,including a 33-49 finish last campaign. The once-proudfranchise last made the playoffs in 2003-04.


But Thomas, who also serves as the team's general manager,acquired high-scoring forward Zach Randolph in the offseason tocomplement franchise centerpiece Eddy Curry in the low post.

It was the coach's desperate attempt at improving the Knickswith his job - and eroding reputation - on the line. However,many questioned how the 6-9 Randolph and 6-11 Curry wouldoperate together on the crowded low block.


The duo worked well together on Friday as Randolph collected 25points and 14 rebounds and Curry added 18 and seven for theKnicks.


"(James) shot more free throws than our whole team," saidRandolph, who was close as New York took 23 free throws andJames 22. "They got some offensive rebounds at the end thathurt us."


Knicks guard Stephon Marbury, who had just 10 points on 3-of-11shooting, admitted that it takes some time to get used toplaying with new teammates.


"I thought we were going to win it," he said. "But it's a longseason. It's the first time we played with Zach."

In a back-and-forth contest, New York took its largest lead with3:04 left in the third quarter on a 3-pointer by Nate Robinsonto make it 78-69, but could not execute in the fourth.