Cavaliers make playoff statement by throttling Knicks

With the 6-foot-9 Wade and 6-foot-5 Harden, the Cavaliers have far more size next to Mitchell, who is generously listed at 6-foot-2. Garland was even smaller, leaving the Cavaliers vulnerable to bigger guards and wings on defense. In the third quarter on Tuesday, the Cavs held Jalen Brunson (also a generous 6-foot-2) to 0-of-6 shooting as the Knicks scored only 10 points.

Cavaliers look like a title contender again

Cleveland is tied with the Knicks in third place and just two games behind the Boston Celtics. The Cavs are playing tough defense — Tuesday was the sixth time in the last 15 games they've held an opponent under 100 points.

They also have supplemented a bench that was less than reliable to start the season. Most Improved Player candidate Jaylon Tyson joins a group of reserves that now includes the playmaking of Dennis Schroder and the defense of Keon Ellis.

The additions make them a serious threat, especially if they can get to the two seed, where they'd draw a play-in winner in the first round. Cleveland's big test comes in the next week, when it faces the first-place Detroit Pistons twice in five days. The Cavs couldn't be facing their rivals at a better time.