Jarrett Allen probably isn't playing for the Cavs, and that's significant, but so is no Julius Randle for the Knicks -- they haven't played a game without him all year, so it's a much bigger adjustment. Without Randle's 25.1 ppg, 10.0 rpg and 4.1 apg., New York might not get to 100 points against the NBA's No. 1 defense. The Cavs have won three straight at home in the series and with another victory would assure they will not slide below No. 4 in the East (Knicks are fifth, four games back) and probably can start resting guys. “We know it’s a big one, especially for seeding purposes,” Darius Garland said. “We’ll come out aggressive."

The Knicks will be in uncharted territory for this game. Julius Randle has yet to miss a game, but he is out for at least the rest of the regular season after injuring his ankle Wednesday against the Heat. They went 5-5 across the 10 games that he missed last season, which included an 18-point loss to the Cavaliers. Both teams look very different now, with the Knicks having Jalen Brunson and the Cavaliers having Donovan Mitchell. Still, the combination of the Cavaliers’ 30-8 record at home and Randle being out should be too much for the Knicks to overcome.