New york knicks cleveland cavaliers
A classic NBA rivalry!
The New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers have a long and storied history, with many memorable matchups over the years. Here are some key facts and highlights from their rivalry:
Early Years: The Knicks and Cavs first met in 1970, with the Knicks winning the first game 114-103. The early years of the rivalry were marked by the Knicks' dominance, with the team winning 12 of the first 15 meetings.
The LeBron Era: The rivalry took a significant turn in the early 2000s with the arrival of LeBron James in Cleveland. James led the Cavs to several playoff series against the Knicks, including a memorable 2007 series where the Cavs came back from a 2-0 deficit to win in seven games.
The Melo Era: In 2011, the Knicks signed Carmelo Anthony, and the team became a consistent playoff contender. The rivalry between Anthony and James was a major storyline during this period, with the two superstars facing off in several intense playoff series.
Recent Years: In recent years, the rivalry has been marked by the Cavs' dominance, with the team winning 12 of the last 15 meetings. The Knicks have struggled to find consistency, while the Cavs have become a perennial playoff contender behind the play of James and later, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving.
Notable Games: Some notable games in the Knicks-Cavs rivalry include:
- 2007: Cavs come back from 2-0 deficit to win series in seven games
- 2012: Knicks win series 4-2, with Carmelo Anthony scoring 41 points in Game 6
- 2015: Cavs win series 4-2, with LeBron James scoring 40 points in Game 6
Overall, the Knicks-Cavs rivalry is one of the most iconic in the NBA, with a rich history of intense playoff series and memorable individual performances.