Recap: Knicks 108, Cavs 121 (or, “The Don” for MVP)

Last night the Cavs put together a complete fourth quarter performance, put some cement shoes on the New York Knicks, and threw them into the bottom of Lake Erie, 121-108. The Don (Donovan Mitchell), the Underboss (Kevin Love), and the Consigliere (Dean Wade), delivered a historic three point performance along with some gritty defense down the stretch from Isaac “Ice” Okoro and Evan “the Professional” Mobley. Let’s dive into last night’s takeaways…

1. Donovan Mitchell AKA Spida AKA The Don, AKA Donnie Basketball, AKA mini-Bron for MVP

Donovan Mitchell has firmly established an MVP trajectory season with another superstar performance: 38 points, 12 assists, three stocks, three rebounds, and a +24.7 net rating on the game to top it all off. The performance was so overwhelming that yours truly didn’t have the heart to troll my online friends who are Knicks fans about it afterwards. At this point what more can be said? Right now the talk of the NBA is how good Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs are, enjoy the ride!

2. NBA Champion and Underboss to the Rescue Kevin Love

NBA Champion and Underboss Kevin Love decided to turn back the clock for a vintage Minnesota Love performance with 29 points, eight rebounds, and a +36.8 for the Cavs while he was on the floor. With cold shooting nights for Caris LeVert and Cedi Osman, Love filled the void with big bucket after big bucket in the magical fourth quarter. His board work was its usual masterful self, he really led the guys by example when he sacrificed his 34 year old body and went down on the floor to contest a possession. That’s how you know he was feeling good on the night. Love hasn’t missed a beat since last season and looks to be putting together another Sixth Man of the Year-worthy campaign.

3. The Consigliere, “James” Dean Wade

The Consigliere “James” Dean Wade continues to answer the bell for the Cavs by dropping what could be considered a career-best performance with 22 points on 11 shots, four rebounds, three assists, and a +27.1 net rating in 33 minutes. This performance is especially crazy considering he just had knee surgery a few months ago. Fears of the injury holding him back appear to be for naught, and he must be feeling the best he’s ever felt because he’s playing like it. All he’s ever needed was an ultra green light to shoot, and tonight was one of those night where he just let it fly in rhythm every time. It’s already been word by Chris Fedor of cleveland.com that J.B. won’t entertain the idea of Wade staying in the starting lineup:

#Cavs will be sticking with the same starting forward tonight as the last few games, I'm told: Dean Wade. The rest will stay the same as well — until Darius Garland returns and they can go back to the Opening Night starting group.

— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) October 30, 2022

But Wade is doing everything in his power to make it a tough decision, that’s how good he’s been.

4. The Comeback Kid: Isaac “Ice” Okoro

Isaac “Ice” Okoro returned to his roots, forgetting about offense and just being a dawg on defense. It resulted in the Cavs going +56.4 in Okoro’s 22 minutes on the court, including a 80.0 defensive rating. Even better, as Okoro gained confidence, he started to impact the game on the boards (13.8% defensive rebound rate), via the pass (28.6 assist ratio), and with defensive playmaking (two stocks). Check out the second clip for the clutch play by Okoro: He moves into open space, then drops a beautiful touch pass dime to Evan Mobley for the slam:

Quand j'vous disais qu'il avait rien à foutre. Passe laser au millimètre pour Okoro sous le panier. La lucidité maximale de l'ailier pour envoyer Mobley au cercle.

Momentum absolu, les Knicks sont sous l'eau. pic.twitter.com/n3QkHmm8Is

— QiBasket (@QiBasket) October 31, 2022

This is a game upon which Ice can rebuild his confidence. It’s amazing how simplifying the game and not worrying about offense helps players get back on track to playing winning basketball.

5. Shoutout to J.B.

A massive shoutout is owed to Coach J.B. Bickerstaff for riding the Kevin Love/Isaac Okoro wave to finish the game off in fourth quarter. Caris LeVert was clearly struggling with his shot, likewise with Cedi Osman. J.B. was really in his bag last night showing supreme confidence in his 21 year old struggling guard and 34 year old big. J.B. pushing the right buttons was clearly a part of the fourth quarter comeback.

6. Quick note on the Knicks

The Knicks clearly are an improved team with Jalen Brunson manning the controls on offense along with Julius Randle. But how devastating was this loss, especially in the context of their own failed bid to acquire the hometown kid. The Don put on a Godfather-level performance, and all the Knicks fans could do was watch in horror. (Happy Halloween!)

7. Next up, Boston Part Deux

The Cavs get an extra day of rest before their re-match against the Celtics on Wednesday night. Payback will surely be on their minds, so the Cavs should expect the Celtics’ “Sunday best.” Talk soon, Go Cavs!

Bonus:

Nearly forgot this part, but obviously had to do it a scene from Goodfellas: