Cavaliers rout Knicks in J.R. Smith's highlight-filled return to MSG
As is his wont, Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard J.R. Smith stole the show in his return to Madison Square Garden.
Smith scored 17 points and threw down a number of highlight-reel dunks in leading the Cavaliers to a 101-83 victory over the New York Knicks.
The Knicks dealt Smith to Cleveland in a midseason move to shed both Smith's salary and gregarious persona. Smith has since flourished as a bench scorer with the Cavaliers.
The streaking Cavs rushed out to a 19-point lead after the first quarter and easily cruised to a lopsided victory. Along with Smith, LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving all scored double digits in limited minutes before resting for the fourth quarter.
For the Knicks, six players managed to reach double digits. However, the Knicks shot just 37.4 percent as a team, including a woeful 3-of-19 from deep. New York's defense wasn't much better, permitting Cleveland to shoot 50.6 percent.
James surpassed Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson for 22nd on the NBA's all-time scoring list in the first quarter.
The win represents the Cavaliers' 16th victory over their last 18 contests, and pulls them within half a game of the third-place Chicago Bulls.
The loss pushes the Knicks firmly into last place at 10-45.