In a game billed prematurely as a preview of the Eastern Conference Finals, the New York Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 119-111 at Madison Square Garden Wednesday night.

OG Anunoby scored a team-high 24 points for the Knicks and added 14 rebounds as he starts the season with a double-double.

New York came out strong and led by 10 after the first quarter. Mikal Bridges scored four baskets and 10 points in the quarter. The Knicks finished the first half with a 10-0 run as they held their biggest lead of the game at 63-46.

Jalen Brunson chimed in with 23 points, most of which he obtained at the foul line. Karl-Anthony Towns, who was questionable to play with a quad injury, contributed 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in 31 minutes. 

Landry Shamet, who won the last roster spot in a heated competition with Garrison Mathews in training camp, chipped in with nine points and two rebounds in 13 minutes of action. Miles Bridges got the start at shooting guard in place of Josh Hart, who missed the game with back spasms. Bridges scored 16 points and grabbed nine boards.

The Knicks went to the free-throw line 36 times, whereas the Cavaliers only had 18 shots from the charity stripe. The Knicks outscored Cleveland 31-12 from the line, which made the difference in the margin of victory.

Donovan Mitchell of the Cavaliers led all players with 31 points. He poured in 21 in the third quarter. Evan Mobley added 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

Neither team was at full strength as the Knicks had Hart and Mitchell Robinson sitting this one out with nagging injuries. The Cavaliers were forced to play without All-Star Darius Garland and swingman Max Strus who are both recovering from offseason foot surgery. They also say De'Andre Hunter who had a bruised knee. Hunter averaged 16.9 points last season off the bench. 

The Knicks will host the Boston Celtics at The Garden on Friday evening.