The Cleveland Cavaliers used a decisive third quarter to beat the New York Knicks 109-94 on Tuesday night at Rocket Arena, cementing their position at the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Donovan Mitchell scored 23 points and James Harden added 20 as Cleveland improved to 37-22. Jarrett Allen had 19 points and 10 rebounds to help the home team win for the eighth time in nine games.
Both teams entered the evening tied for third place in the East at 37-22. New York owns the head-to-head tiebreaker after winning two of the three meetings this season.
The Cavaliers led 60-54 at halftime before taking control with a defensive surge in the third. Cleveland outscored New York 23-11 in the period and held the visitors to 3-of-24 shooting.
Harden scored eight points in the quarter and Allen added six as the hosts expanded a slim margin into double figures. The Knicks’ 3-for-24 mark was their worst shooting quarter since going 3-for-20 in the fourth against Boston in 2018.
Cleveland had not limited an opponent to three or fewer field goals in a quarter since holding Minnesota to 2 of 20 last season.
The Cavs increased the lead from 71-63 to 84-65 with a 13-2 run over the late third and early fourth. Their largest lead was 98-78 midway through the final period.
Mitchell finished 5 of 18 from the field, but converted 11 of 14 free throws and added five rebounds and four assists. Harden shot 8-of-18 and made four 3-pointers while dishing out four assists.
Allen anchored the interior, shooting 7-of-8 and collecting four offensive rebounds. Cleveland totaled 44 rebounds and 13 offensive boards, creating extra possessions in a game marked by efficiency swings.
New York struggled offensively, shooting 35 of 86 overall and 10 of 37 from beyond the arc. Mikal Bridges scored 18 points on 6-for-17 shooting, while Jalen Brunson added 20 points on 6-for-19 from the floor.
The Knicks’ starting backcourt combined to shoot 12-of-36, and the team shot 27% from 3-point range despite facing a defense that ranked fourth in the league against the arc.
Mitchell Robinson provided an interior presence with 11 points and 16 rebounds, including eight offensive boards. However, second-chance opportunities did not translate into consistent scoring.
The Knicks travel to Milwaukee on Friday. The Cavaliers begin a three-game road trip on Wednesday, also in Milwaukee.
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