Thursday, December 20, 2007
LeBron James had 32 points, but little help in the 108-90 loss.
NEW YORK (AP) — What could have been a tough day for Isiah Thomas turned into the Knicks’ easiest night of the season.
David Lee scored 17 of his 22 points in the first half, Jamal Crawford added 21, and New York beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 108-90 Wednesday for its most lopsided victory of the season.
Two nights after their coach questioned their heart and toughness, the Knicks (8-17) had all the answers.
New York shot a season-best 56.2 percent from the field and led by as many as 24 points in their most complete effort during a disappointing first 25 games.
Hours after a rally for fans who wanted Thomas fired, the Knicks won for only the second time in eight games. Zach Randolph had 17 points and Quentin Richardson added 16.
LeBron James had 32 points, eight rebounds and six assists for Cleveland, which has lost nine of 11.
The Cavaliers had little energy two nights after a double-overtime victory over Milwaukee, and Drew Gooden was the only other player in double figures with 11 points.
Cavaliers coach Mike Brown looked disgusted with his team, twice walking onto the court in the fourth quarter even before his timeout had been granted — bumping into James on the second one.
A day that could have turned into a referendum on Thomas’ tenure in New York instead ended with his team getting a number of ovations. Many fans stood and cheered as the Knicks walked off the floor at halftime with a 13-point lead.
Earlier Wednesday, two dozen fans rallied outside Madison Square Garden, holding a signed 8-by-4-foot pink placard urging Garden chairman James Dolan to fire Thomas.
At the game, one fan held a sign reading: I am at the last game Isiah ever coached, and the Daily News printed a large block letter sign in Wednesday’s editions reading “FIRE ISIAH,” saying it was meant to be held up during the “next Knicks blowout.”
It was a blowout all right — just not the kind the Knicks are usually in.
Richardson fueled the Knicks’ strong start, making three 3-pointers and scoring 11 points to help the Knicks take a 31-30 lead. Lee had three buckets during a 10-2 spurt that extended the lead to 53-43, and New York had its biggest lead of the season when two free throws by Fred Jones made it a 15-point game with 27 seconds left in the half.
The Knicks were up 63-50 at halftime after shooting 59 percent.
The Cavs made the first basket of the third quarter, but Crawford hit two 3s and Richardson added another in a 13-0 spurt, with Crawford’s 19-footer making it 76-52 with 8:37 remaining in the period. The Knicks led 87-70 heading to the fourth.