Ricky Rubio sizzles for career-high as Cavaliers roll Knicks

Ricky Rubio had the most prolific game of his 11-year career on Sunday, November 7 (Monday, November 8, Manila time), when the Cleveland Cavaliers guard drained 8 three-pointers, scored 37 points, and added 10 assists to lead the visitors to a 126-109 win over the New York Knicks.

The Cavaliers have won four in a row to move three games over .500 (7-4) for just the second time since LeBron James left for the Los Angeles Lakers following the 2017-18 season. The Knicks have lost three of four.

The three-pointers and points each established career-highs for Rubio, who hit 6 three-pointers for the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 30, 2017, and finished with 34 points for the Utah Jazz on Febuary 3, 2018.

Rubio was 2-for-2 from long range in the first half on Sunday before heating up in the third period, when he hit all four of his attempts from beyond the arc in a span of 3:14 to fuel the Cavaliers, who outscored the Knicks 33-18 in the period to take an 89-75 lead. Rubio’s first three-pointer of the period gave Cleveland the lead for good at 62-59.

In the fourth quarter, Rubio hit each of his first 2 three-point attempt and the Cavaliers went on a 9-0 run that extended their lead to 112-97 and extinguished any comeback hopes for the Knicks.

Rubio missed his final three-point attempt with 1:21 left, which cost him a chance to become the first NBA player to go 8-for-8 or better from beyond the arc since Ben Gordon was 9-for-9 for the Detroit Pistons on March 21, 2012. Rubio’s effort was the most efficient from long range since Anthony Edwards went 8-for-9 on three-pointers for the Minnesota Timberwolves on May 5, 2021.

Jarrett Allen had a double-double (18 points, 17 rebounds) for the Cavaliers while Evan Mobley finished with 26 points and 9 rebounds. Darius Garland added 16 points for Cleveland, which was 19-of-35 on three-pointers.

Julius Randle led the Knicks with 19 points, while Derrick Rose had 17 points, and Evan Fournier finished with 15 points. Reserves Immanuel Quickley (12 points), Obi Toppin (11 points), and Alec Burks (10 points) also got into double figures. – Rappler.com