NBA: Donovan Mitchell, Cavs keep rolling, cool off Knicks

Donovan Mitchell scored 23 points and James Harden added 20 as the Cleveland Cavaliers secured their eighth win in nine games, defeating the visiting New York Knicks 109-94 on Tuesday night.

Jarrett Allen powered Cleveland with 19 points on 7-of-8 shooting and grabbed 10 rebounds, helping the Cavaliers tie New York for third place in the Eastern Conference. With Harden in the lineup, Cleveland is 6-1 and holds a league-best 13-2 record since Jan. 21.

For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson led with 20 points and Mikal Bridges contributed 18, but the starting guards combined for just 12 of 36 from the field. Mitchell Robinson added 11 points and 16 rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench.

Cleveland also received 12 points each from Evan Mobley and Jaylon Tyson, while Dean Wade chipped in 11 points and eight rebounds. Allen has recorded eight double-doubles in his last nine games.

New York, which led for only 19 seconds and fell behind by 20 in the fourth quarter, has gone 12-4 since Jan. 19. Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, and a team-high five turnovers, while Josh Hart scored 10.

The Cavaliers took control in the third quarter, holding the Knicks to 11 points on 3-of-24 shooting and building an 83-65 lead heading into the fourth. Harden scored eight points, including two 3-pointers, and Allen added six points and five rebounds in the period.

Cleveland jumped ahead by 12 early in the second quarter and received back-to-back dunks from Allen before New York closed within 60-54 at halftime. Towns scored eight points in the second without missing a shot.

Mitchell had nine points and four assists in the first quarter, while Harden added seven as Cleveland took a 35-26 lead. Brunson and Hart each scored seven for the Knicks.

Both teams were at near-full strength, missing just one rotation player each. Knicks guard Miles McBride (pelvic core muscle surgery) could return for the playoffs, while Cavaliers guard Max Strus (left foot surgery) remains out indefinitely.

—Field Level Media/Reuters