The Cleveland Cavaliers emphatically got back to winning ways Tuesday, coasting to a 109-94 victory over the New York Knicks as their recent star signing James Harden scored 20 points.<\/p>\n
The Cavs took the lead barely a minute into the game with an Evan Mobley three-pointer, and never gave it up in a thoroughly comfortable night for the red-hot Ohio franchise.<\/p>\n
Former NBA Most Valuable Player Harden, who was brought in from the Los Angeles Clippers this month, has never won a championship despite being one of the most decorated players in the league.<\/p>\n
That was a key factor in his move to the seemingly playoff-bound Cavs, where he has only suffered one loss across seven games, and “The Beard” excelled again, providing four assists against the Knicks.<\/p>\n
“We’re working to build something special, and each game is an opportunity to get better,” said Harden. “Tonight was a good step for us.”<\/p>\n
It was a return to form after their seven-game winning streak was snapped Sunday by the defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder.<\/p>\n
Harden, 36, has given Cleveland another potent offensive weapon alongside Donovan Mitchell, who led the scoring with 23 points.<\/p>\n
The victory was underpinned by a powerful defensive performance, that saw the Knicks’ star man Jalen Brunson restricted to 20 points.<\/p>\n
“Tonight it was a team effort, and it’s been like that since I’ve been here. That’s one of the beauties about this team, any guy can get it going,” added Harden.<\/p>\n
Tuesday’s win improves Cleveland’s recent form to a 13-2 record since January 21, and 20 wins in their last 26 contests.<\/p>\n
They drew level on 37 wins and 22 losses with the Knicks — third in the Eastern Conference — who were poor with their shooting accuracy.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, Tyrese Maxey sank 32 points plus nine rebounds and eight assists as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Indiana Pacers 135-114.<\/p>\n
The Pacers reached last year’s NBA Finals, but have struggled badly this campaign, sinking to the very bottom of the East.<\/p>\n
The Charlotte Hornets beat the Chicago Bulls 131-99, with rookie Kon Knueppel racing to his 200th three-pointer.<\/p>\n
Aged 20, the Hornets prodigy is the fastest player to reach that mark in NBA history, requiring just 58 games.<\/p>\n
And the Western Conference-leading Thunder racked up another win, seeing off the Toronto Raptors 116-107.<\/p>\n
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