TITLE: Robinson Headlines Knicks’ New Starting Five; Blazers Sign Rookie Carr; Sportsbooks Peg Cavs at 56.5 Wins
SLUG: robinson-knicks-starter-blazers-sign-carr-cavs-win-total
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New York’s preseason opener, a roster move in Portland and early odds on Cleveland’s season highlight Tuesday’s NBA news cycle.
Knicks
Head coach Mike Brown unveiled a revamped starting unit in the Knicks’ first preseason game, pairing center Mitchell Robinson with Karl-Anthony Towns. The experiment paid off quickly as Robinson collected a game-high 16 rebounds—11 on the defensive end—in only 18 minutes. His effort powered New York to a 99–84 victory over the 76ers after the team built a double-digit halftime cushion.
“He was phenomenal,” Brown said postgame, noting that Robinson also recorded three deflections. “I’ll get a plaque for you, Mitch. He was the player of the game for us.”
Brown added that the lineup remains fluid. With forward Josh Hart listed day-to-day because of lower-back soreness sustained on a hard fall, Robinson is expected to stay in the first five for Saturday’s rematch with Philadelphia in Abu Dhabi.
Trail Blazers
The Trail Blazers have signed rookie forward Andrew Carr to a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 contract. The 6-foot-9 Carr is likely to be waived before the regular season and then join Portland’s G League affiliate, the Rip City Remix, where he can earn a bonus of up to $85,300 by remaining with the club for 60 days.
Carr concluded a five-year college career with stops at Delaware, Wake Forest and Kentucky, averaging 10.3 points and 4.7 rebounds last season for the Wildcats. His addition fills Portland’s preseason roster.
Cavaliers
Oddsmakers have released early projections for the Cavaliers. After winning 64 games a year ago, Cleveland’s regular-season win total has been set at 56.5 by both BetMGM and BetOnline.
The club added Lonzo Ball, Larry Nance Jr., Tyrese Proctor and Thomas Bryant during the offseason, while Ty Jerome, Isaac Okoro, Javonte Green, Chuma Okeke and Tristan Thompson departed. The line suggests confidence in the roster’s depth while acknowledging the difficulty of matching last year’s 64-win pace.
Source: Hoops Wire
