NEW YORK — The Knicks have two years to convince LeBron James they can be a title contender. His Cavaliers showed New York they might be one right now.
James scored 26 points before sitting out the fourth quarter, and the Cavaliers quickly took a charged-up New York crowd out of the game in a 119-101 victory Tuesday night.
The buzz was about James’ future as a free agent. His teammates have big goals for the present.
“It seems like they want him, but right now we’re excited that he’s a Cavalier,” guard Daniel Gibson said.
Delonte West added 16 points and Wally Szczerbiak had 15 for the Cavaliers, who led by as many as 34. They rang up their highest point total of the season and put seven players in double figures, showing they may have more help than ever for James, the NBA’s leading scorer.
Making matters worse for the Knicks, they lost Nate Robinson, their leading scorer, after he strained his groin in the second quarter. He is doubtful for tonight at Detroit.
“I’ll be back in no time,” he said.
