Cavs have another chance to show progress against familiar problem in Knicks

The Cavs handled one piece of unfinished business against the Sixers. Now comes a team that left them with considerably more.

The Knicks visit Rocket Arena for an 8 p.m. tip, bringing along some memories the Cavs would probably prefer to replace. Getting swept in the Eastern Conference finals tends to stick with you.

No, beating the Knicks in November won’t make up for that. But following Friday’s convincing win over the Sixers with another strong performance would give the Cavs something worth building on.

That’s the opportunity here.

Zach Weiss of Cavaliers On SI called this the Cavs’ most important game of the young season⁠. You can make that argument. Mostly, though, the Cavs need to show they can carry the good stuff from one night into the next.

Against the Sixers, they moved the ball, defended and regained control after their lead dwindled. Donovan Mitchell helped direct the offense even when his outside shot wasn’t falling⁠. Several teammates benefited.

That’s a formula worth repeating. The opponent shouldn’t have to bring out the best in them.

Still, the Knicks offer a useful test because the Cavs know how quickly things can unravel against this particular group. Last season supplied enough examples, including a blown Christmas Day lead and the playoff exit.

Peyton Watson gives the Cavs a different defensive look this time around. His length and activity are among the reasons to believe they can make life more difficult on the perimeter.

Jarrett Allen’s availability also bears watching. Having him to match up with Karl-Anthony Towns would give Kenny Atkinson more options and ease some of the burden on Evan Mobley.

But personnel is only part of it. The Cavs need to execute when the Knicks make a run, when a few shots stop falling and when the game gets uncomfortable.

They did that against the Sixers. Doing it again against the Knicks would be a useful sign that Friday was a step forward.

Then the job is to keep going.