Competition : Basketball - NBA
Date : 14 November 2015
Kick-off 02:30 (GMT +2)
Venue : Madison Square Garden (New York City, NY)
LeBron James turned in a magnificent fourth quarter to help rally the Cleveland Cavaliers their last time out.
The New York Knicks were already victimized by a spectacular final period from the superstar last week.
The Knicks get a chance for revenge Friday night at home when they meet a Cavaliers team seeking its best start in 39 years.
James scored 17 of his 31 points in the fourth Tuesday as Cleveland (7-1) erased a nine-point deficit with just over seven minutes left for a 118-114 home victory over Utah. His point total matched a season high and he added eight assists.
"Bron is the greatest player in the game," coach David Blatt said. "I don't think there's anyone with a higher basketball IQ or a better understanding of the moment."
James has exhibited increased aggressiveness with 26 foul shots in the last two games. He never shot more than eight in his first six games.
The Cavaliers, winners of seven straight, are seeking their first 8-1 start since 1976-77.
They begin a three-game trip against a Knicks team they defeated 96-86 at home Nov. 4 after coming back from 15 points down. That contest featured a fourth quarter in which Cleveland held a 26-17 scoring edge, with James scoring 11 points in the final 7:13.
Carmelo Anthony made 1 of 5 shots for two points in the fourth that night. He is shooting 31.7 percent in the final period compared to 51.2 for James.
New York (4-5) fell 95-93 at Charlotte on Wednesday, with Anthony's baseline jumper from the left wing hitting the side of the backboard as the shot clock expired with 3.7 seconds left with the score tied. The Knicks were outscored 26-14 in a fourth quarter in which they shot 27.3 percent.
"I didn't deliver," Anthony said. "I had in my mind I was going to deliver. Everything felt good going into it."
Rookie Kristaps Porzingis drilled a 3-pointer that set off a celebration before it was ruled to have gone in after the buzzer as New York missed a chance at a three-game win streak. Porzingis had 10 points and 15 boards for his fourth double-double.
These teams each got a key player back this week.
Cavs guard J.R. Smith returned Tuesday after missing three games with a bruised right knee with seven points in 22 minutes. Smith will return to New York for the second time since the Knicks traded him to Cleveland on Jan. 6.
"The biggest thing is wind, trying to get your wind back," Smith said. "There's no shape like game shape. I think that's the biggest thing. Other than that, everything should be like riding a bike."
Arron Afflalo started in his Knicks debut Wednesday with 12 points in 28 minutes after being out with hamstring issues.
"I'm very, very excited to get my first game in the Garden," Afflalo said. "I think that will provide me with even more energy, the entire team for that matter, so I'm just extremely excited."
The Knicks will be wary of Mo Williams, who had a season-high 29 points Tuesday on 8-of-9 shooting and scored 22 against New York last week. Kevin Love has turned in consecutive 22-point efforts but had a season-low 11 versus the Knicks.
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