Cavs Top 3: Ricky Rubio goes off in Madison Square Garden to get win over Knicks

The Cavs defeated the Knicks behind Ricky Rubio’s career day.

The Cavs are rolling right along and are now sitting at 7-4 after 11 games. It isn’t just seven wins against the worst in the East either, they’ve defeated the Clippers, Trail Blazers, Nuggets, Knicks, and Hornets in recent games. All of whom are either currently in the playoff race or are expected to be in it. So props to them. A big reason for that success is Ricky Rubio.

Rubio, who came off his best outing ever during his stint in the Olympics, finally looks like the player many had hoped he’d always be. He lived up to that hype against the Knicks on Sunday by posting a career-high in points and three-point shots made.

Rubio had 37 points, 13-17 from the floor and 8-9 from three-point. He also had 10 assists for yet another double-double. The team was able to get the 126-109 win over the Knicks without Collin Sexton, and a year ago, it seemed unlikely the Cavs would be able to score that many points without Sexton. Thanks to Rubio, the Cavaliers are no longer that same team.

The Cavs top-three against the Knicks

As always, the bottom is in descending order with the lowest number being the worst and the top is in ascending order with three being the best.

The Bottom Three Performers

1. Cedi Osman
2. Lamar Stevens
3. Dean Wade

We praise when they perform well, we criticize when we don’t. We are nothing if not consistent. Cedi Osman went 0-5 with three turnovers on the day. He had two points and did contribute in the transition offense a bit, showing decent rebounding and passing but after the last few games of consistent shooting, this night of inconsistencies was not something we wanted to see. At least Osman is consistently inconsistent.

Lamar Stevens is a less talented Anderson Varejao. He’s not very skilled but has a high motor.  A game he doesn’t make many mistakes is his ceiling. Unfortunately for him, he simply didn’t do much of anything against the Knicks. When so many people contribute, someone will have to end up on this list and Stevens’ lack of dynamic play is why he’s on here.

Playing next to Evan Mobley is helping Dean Wade’s defense not appear bad. Let’s be honest though, if Kevin Love or Lauri Markkanen were healthy, Wade wouldn’t be starting. He’s lucky he’s not actively hurting the Cavs chances.

The Top Three Performers

1. Jarrett Allen
2. Evan Mobley
3. Ricky Rubio

For the first point of the night, we give it to Jarrett Allen. 18 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, and two steals. If the Cavaliers continue to play this well and get to the playoffs, then Allen’s contract will have been well worth it.

Evan Mobley got the two points for the night, posting 26 points, nine rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block; all while posting a team-high box plus/minus of +26.

The top dog, and getting three points, is Ricky Rubio. A career-high in points scored in a game and a three-pointer made is enough to get that seat. He was absolutely needed with Collin Sexton now on the bench due to an injury. Rubio should be in the starting lineup and the Cavs could see what a squad of Rubio and Darius Garland could be.

Yearly Standing:

1. Jarrett Allen (15 points)
2. Ricky Rubio (11 points)
3. Evan Mobley (8 points)
4. Cedi Osman (7 points)
5. *TIE* Collin Sexton/Lauri Markkanen/Kevin Love/Darius Garland (6 points)
6. Dylan Windler (1 point)