Cavs put it together as James Harden leads response against Knicks

The Cavs followed their worst performance of the season with their best. And they did it in the defending champions’ building.

James Harden scored a season-high 32 points as the Cavs beat the Knicks 115-107 on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden, delivering the kind of complete effort that had been missing in Monday’s collapse against the Hornets.

Credit them for responding. This was a much better opponent and a much more convincing version of the Cavs.

Harden, the subject of plenty of criticism lately, shot 9-of-14 from the field and 5-of-7 on 3-pointers. Donovan Mitchell added 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists as the Cavs improved to 6-6 and snapped a two-game skid.

The Knicks kept coming, tying the game at 99 in the fourth quarter. The Cavs kept answering. Timely baskets, hustle plays and defensive stops allowed them to finish a game that required all three.

Jarrett Allen supplied an important, understated performance, doing the little things that helped possessions end in the Cavs’ favor. Peyton Watson delivered one of the biggest plays, blocking a transition attempt in the final minute to preserve a two-possession lead.

Tyrese Proctor scored 15 points off the bench, and Meleek Thomas added 14. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 27 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 21 and 11 rebounds.

One win doesn’t erase the uneven start. But this showed what the Cavs can accomplish when their talent and effort show up together.

They’ll try to carry it into Friday’s NBA Cup game at Miami. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.