Knicks 95, Cavaliers 85: Julius Randle’s triple-double helps Knicks hand Cavs first loss

© Tony Dejak, AP Cleveland Cavaliers’ Cedi Osman dunks the ball against the New York Knicks in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) © Tony Dejak, AP New York Knicks’ Julius Randle, center, tries to get past Cleveland Cavaliers’ Collin Sexton, left, Larry Nance Jr., right, and Dante Exum in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

CLEVELAND — Julius Randle had 28 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists for his first triple-double in two years, leading the New York Knicks to a 95-86 victory over the Cavaliers on Tuesday night.

Randle, who scored 18 in the first half as the Knicks built a 16-point lead, completed his seventh career triple-double with an assist on Elfrid Payton’s 3-pointer in the fourth quarter.

It was the power forward’s first triple-double since Nov. 19, 2018, with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Reggie Bullock scored 17 points and Payton had 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Knicks (2-2), who won their second in a row.

Andre Drummond notched his fourth double-double for the Cavaliers (3-1) with 17 points, 17 rebounds and a season-high six blocked shots. The Cavs started the season 3-0 for the first time since winning six in a row to begin 2016-17.

The Cavaliers, who finished with the second-worst record in the NBA last season at 19-46, never got closer than seven in the fourth. Collin Sexton scored 20 points and Darius Garland had 17, but the Cavs starting guards were 12 of 35 from the field.

© Tony Dejak, AP Cleveland Cavaliers’ Dante Exum (1) drives against New York Knicks’ Reggie Bullock (25) and Frank Ntilikina (11) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Randle had 18 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in the first half, powering the Knicks to a 53-46 advantage. Bullock made four of the Knicks’ 10 3-pointers, including a 31-footer at the buzzer in the second quarter.

The Knicks seized a 29-15 lead in the first as Randle made all five of his shots in going off for 14 points, six rebounds and five assists. The Cavaliers were 0 for 10 beyond the arc in the quarter and Sexton was 0 for 6 from the field.

Larry Nance Jr. added nine points for the Cavaliers.

Where is the Love?

Kevin Love, who sat out the opener with the same calf strain, re-injured his calf against the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night and will not be re-evaluated until late January. He has missed 116 regular-season games since helping the Cavaliers win the 2016 NBA championship. “Predicting injuries is hard to do, but I feel bad for Kevin,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “He’s been working his tail off, trying to get right for this season.”

Tip-ins

Knicks: Guard Alec Burks (left ankle sprain) did not play after being injured Sunday against the Milwaukee Bucks. Coach Tom Thibodeau said Burks is day-to-day. … Guard Dennis Smith Jr. (left quadriceps) could rejoin the team during its ongoing four-game trip. … Rookie forward Obi Toppin (right calf) and guard Immanuel Quickley (left hip) were inactive, along with guard Austin Rivers (groin) and forward Omari Spellman (right knee).

Cavaliers: Rookie forwards Isaac Okoro (left foot sprain) and Dylan Windler (left hand fracture), guard Matthew Dellavedova (concussion) and guard Kevin Porter Jr. (personal) were not in uniform. 

Up next

Knicks: Play the Toronto Raptors in their temporary home of Tampa, Florida. The Raptors have won eight in a row over the Knicks, whose last victory in the series occurred on Nov. 22, 2017.

Cavaliers: Visit the Indiana Pacers on Thursday. The Cavs begin a six-game road trip, their longest of the season, and won’t return to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse until hosting the Memphis Grion Jan. 22.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Knicks 95, Cavaliers 85: Julius Randle’s triple-double helps Knicks hand Cavs first loss