Knicks burned by ex-mate Damyean Dotson, fall fifth in a row

Andre Drummond, a Westchester County native who will be a free agent this summer, beat the Knicks by 33 points and 23 rebounds Friday night, but it was former Knick Damyean Dotson who dealt the knockout blows for the Cavaliers.

Dotson’s seven points in the 2:40 final sent the Knicks to their fifth straight loss in a 106-103 thriller at Rocket Mortgage Arena in Cleveland.

Dotson’s late push ruined a fantastic performance from Knicks rookie playmaker Immanuel Quickley, who scored 23 points off the bench.

RJ Barrett made two costly turnovers in the 1:19 final which ruined his solid outing.

Barrett hit 20 feet of desperation before the shot clock hit to take the Knicks to 98-97 with 1:33 to go. But then Barrett tried to dribble between his legs and bounced the ball off the back of his foot, turning it over at the worst time, with 1:19 left.

This caused a foul on Dotson, who sank two free throws. The Cavaliers kept possession and Dotson led for a layup. With 2:40 to go, Dotson hit a big 3 point over Quickley to give the Cavs a five point lead.

In less than four, Barrett returned the ball with 20 seconds left to freeze it for Cleveland.

Drummond scored 20 points and had 14 rebounds in the first period. Seven of his rebounds were on the offensive glass. No Cavalier in the past 20 years has posted a 20 and 14 half.

The Mount Vernon native could be on the move after this season. The Cavaliers may be ready to let the former Connecticut star go now that they’ve trapped former Nets center Jarrett Allen in James Harden’s four-team trade.

Cleveland built a 12-point lead in a wild third quarterback, but Quickley helped lead another charge. He hit a 3 point, then a float. Julius Randle (28 points, six assists) marked the return which tied the score to 80 after three.

The Knicks had a 16-0 run to take an 84-80 lead early in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t hold it back.

Quickley was spectacular coming off the bench, exploding for 12 points in 11 minutes with two assists in the first half. Quickley shot 5 for 8 from the field, scoring two 3s in the first half.

Quickley, who was selected with the 25th pick in the first round in November, found kinks in the Cavaliers’ defense and allowed the Knicks to take a five-point lead by playing mainly with the “Quickley Quintet” which killed the Riders in pre-season. The only difference in the young group of five was Reggie Bullock in Barrett’s place.

In a beautiful moment, rookie Obi Toppin, in his second game after a three week absence due to calf strain, stole an assist and fed Quickley for a 3-pointer.

On the next possession, Quickley weaved inside and threw an alley lob for a Mitchell Robinson trick and a 43-39 lead.

Robinson couldn’t compete with Drummond’s muscle, and then he injured himself. Robinson fell awkwardly after missing a recoil dunk. Coach Tom Thibodeau let him hobble the field for two possessions before shooting the young center, and he went to the locker room. Robinson had his ankle registered at halftime and came out for the third quarter, under 100%.