Jones kept Cleveland in the game in the first half with 24 points, and made seven 3-pointers in what was easily his best game of the season. James scored 19 in the second half, and also set up baskets by Donyell Marshall and Anderson Varejao in the fourth quarter, both after New York had closed within two points.

Nate Robinson scored 19 points and nearly led the Knicks back from a 14-point deficit, but New York fell to 0-3 at Madison Square Garden this season. Jamal Crawford had 18 and Channing Frye added 17, ending his horrendous start to the season.