NEW YORK -- The famous cliche' that you have to play the games on the court, not on paper, did not apply in Sunday's contest between the 10-44 New York Knicks and the surging 34-22 Cleveland Cavaliers.
In this match-up, the colossal mismatch on paper actually translated in the hardwood as LeBron James and the Cavs blew the Carmelo Anthony-less Knicks out of the Madison Square Garden, 101-83.
As expected, the Knicks were thoroughly outplayed as the Cavs shot 50.6 percent against New York's' 37.4 percent. Cleveland dished more assists, 22-16 and made more 3-pointers, 12-3.
The Cavs' rout came on the heels of their convincing rout of the Washington Wizards on Friday night.
One of the few Knicks' highlights on Sunday was the offensive foul called on LeBron James against Jose Calderon, an infraction that was was loudly cheered by the partisan New York crowd.
The Cavs jumped to a 36-17 lead after one quarter and led 62-38 at halftime.
LeBron James and Kyrie Irving paved the Cavs with 18 apiece while J.R. Smith drilled 17. Kevin Love added 16 points and 16 rebounds.
With Cleveland leading 81-55 entering the fourth quarter, Cavs head coach David Blatt rested his starters in the final 12 minutes.
Langston Galloway led the Knicks with 13. Lance Thomas. Quincy Acy and Andrea Bargnani chipped in 11 points each while Travis Wear and Lou Amundson combined for 20.
Up next for the Cavalies is a trip to Detroit to square off with the Pistons while the Knicks head to Boston to face the Celtics.
Photo: LeBron James and Iman Shumpert celebrate the Cavaliers' 101-83 romp over the New York Knicks on Sunday at the Madison Square Garden.
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