Cavs beat Knicks in Davis’ debut

Associated Press

NEW YORK

Baron Davis scored 18 points in his Cavaliers debut, leading a stunning rally in the fourth quarter as Cleveland beat the New York Knicks for the 11th straight time, 119-115 on Friday night.

J.J. Hickson scored 23 and Luke Harangody also had 18, but the spark came from Davis in his first game since his trade from the Los Angeles Clippers last week. He scored 12 points in the final six-plus minutes after the Knicks had built a 12-point lead, including a 3-pointer that gave Cleveland a 116-112 lead with 10.6 seconds left.

Amare Stoudemire answered with a 3 for the Knicks, but after a free throw by Ramon Sessions, Carmelo Anthony was called for a charging foul after he broke free of Anthony Parker’s attempt to hold him, and the last-place Cavaliers beat the Knicks for the third time this season.

Stoudemire matched a season high with 41 points and Anthony added 29, but the Knicks still haven’t defeated the Cavs since Dec. 19, 2007.

It appeared the skid would end Friday as the Knicks built a series of double-digit leads. But Davis, who hadn’t played since the trade because of a sore left knee, made an immediate impact on the NBA’s worst team.

Anthony Carter’s 3-pointer sent the Knicks to the fourth quarter with an 88-85 lead, and it seemed their superior talent would take over from there. Anthony made the first basket of the quarter, then found fellow newcomer Shelden Williams for a dunk and a 92-85 lead 45 seconds into the period.

Anthony converted a spinning bucket in the lane with 10:07 remaining, sinking the free throw during a loud “Melo! Melo!” chant, then Stoudemire scored to extend it to 100-88.

But Davis had nine points in a 16-4 spurt, and Hickson and Samardo Samuels resumed contesting every New York shot at the rim as Cleveland battled back to tie it at 106 on Sessions’ layup with 3:28 to play.