The Knicks changed coaches and vowed to be different. They were against Cavaliers

Knicks’ balanced depth and aggressive backcourt defense in the opener suggest they can sustain leads and limit opponents’ scoring — bettors might prefer New York on the spread or moneyline, and consider under on opponent team totals.

Knicks Open Season With New Look, 119-111 Win Over Cavaliers

The Knicks returned to Madison Square Garden with a familiar cast but a clearly different approach, beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 119-111 in the season opener — their first season-opening win since 2021 and a measure of revenge after going winless against Cleveland last year. New coach Mike Brown’s system showed immediately: more rotation, more pressure and a more balanced offensive attack.

Depth and Bench Production Turned the Tide

New York played 11 players, 10 of them for at least 10 minutes, turning what was once a bottom-ranked bench into a meaningful advantage. Miles McBride, Landry Shamet and Tyler Kolek combined for 31 points off the bench, a stark contrast to last season’s bench average of 21.7 points per game. Ariel Hukporti started; two-way center Trey Jemison III and role players like Shamet provided timely scoring and defensive energy.

Key Contributors: Anunoby, Bridges, Brunson and Towns

OG Anunoby led with 24 points and tied a career high with 14 rebounds. Mikal Bridges supplied 16 points, six assists, five rebounds, three steals and two blocks while functioning as a pseudo lead guard at times. Jalen Brunson operated more off the ball under Brown’s plan to preserve his scoring efficiency. Karl-Anthony Towns, a game-time decision with a quad strain, logged 31 minutes, helping stabilize the frontcourt.

New Offensive Roles and Playmaking

Brown has emphasized getting Brunson easier looks and using him off the ball. Against Cleveland, Brunson and Bridges alternated ball-handling duties, allowing Brunson to exploit different scoring opportunities and Bridges to create more plays. The lineup flexibility gave the Knicks cleaner looks and reduced the workload on any single scorer.

Defensive Identity: High Pressure From 94 Feet

New York significantly increased its defensive aggressiveness, crowding ballhandlers earlier and pushing opponents into uncomfortable reads. Per Second Spectrum, the Knicks ranked 28th last year in pick-up distance (37.2 feet); against Cleveland they started pressuring much higher, forcing turnovers and slowing Cleveland’s usual pace. “We really want to get out into the open court and speed teams up,” McBride said, noting the team’s length and defensive versatility.

How This Shapes the Regular Season

The opener is not proof of a championship trajectory, but it’s a promising start. The depth allows Brown to manage minutes for star players while maintaining intensity. If the Knicks can sustain this balance and defensive pressure, they’ll be tougher to exploit over an 82-game grind and better positioned in close games and playoff rotations.

Takeaways for Fans and Bettors

The Knicks’ expanded rotation and emphasis on early defensive pressure make them more resilient in off nights from primary scorers. Expect more shared offensive responsibility and a quicker tempo when transition opportunities appear. For bettors, that depth and defensive style can make New York a more reliable cover candidate on spreads and a safer moneyline pick at home, while opponent team totals may be worth under plays against this revamped defense.

How the Knicks switched things up from last season en route to a season-opening win against Cleveland.

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