Playing out the final string of a rough season, the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the visiting New York Knicks on Friday night by a final score of 98-90. The win snapped a three-game skid and gave the Cavs a win over a playoff-bound opponent for the first time since March 9.
Kyrie Irving, the likely NBA Rookie of the Year, was back in action, leading the Cavs' offense with 21 points. He had three rebounds and three assists in his second game since April 3. Manny Harris had 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Cavs. Two other players finished in double figures for points.
Cleveland was dominant on the boards, out-rebounding the Knicks 52-32.
The Cavs held a Carmelo Anthony to just 12 points, his lowest scoring total since March 23, and only the second time in eight games Melo had less than 20 points. Amare Stoudemire and Steve Novak each scored 15 points to lead New York.
Cleveland has just four games left in the season, starting Sunday with a trip to San Antonio.
For more on the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks, check out SB Nation's blogs for the two teams at Fear The Sword and Posting And Toasting. More on the NBA in general can be found at SB Nation's dedicated NBA hub.