The Cleveland Cavaliers used a decisive third quarter to defeat the New York Knicks 109-94 on Tuesday night at Rocket Arena, strengthening their hold near 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 recorded 19 points and 10 rebounds, helping the home side win for the eighth time in nine games.
Both teams entered the night tied for third in the East at 37-22. New York owns the head-to-head tiebreaker after winning two of 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 extended a slim margin into double digits. The Knicks’ 3-of-24 mark was their worst shooting quarter since going 3-of-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 pushed the lead from 71-63 to 84-65 with a 13-2 run spanning the late third and early fourth. Their largest advantage reached 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 distributing 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 defined 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-of-17 shooting, while Jalen Brunson added 20 points on 6-of-19 from the floor.
The Knicks’ starting backcourt combined to go 12-of-36, and the team shot 27% from 3-point range despite facing a defense that entered ranked fourth-worst in the league against the arc.
Mitchell Robinson provided 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 Wednesday, also in Milwaukee.
