Improving Knicks ready for LeBron, Cavs

The Knicks already have shown they're nothing like last year's team, and their last three games only have proved that.

All three came down to the wire and required late-game execution. The Knicks won two of them and were one-tenth of a second from claiming a third. But Kristaps Porzingis' three-pointer at the buzzer in Charlotte on Wednesday was waved off after replays showed the ball was on his fingertips as the red light came on.

It's not much of a reach to predict that the Knicks would have lost all three of those games last season. They won only 17 after all, and execution in close games was one of their myriad problems.

But the Knicks (4-5) made the necessary plays against the Lakers on Sunday, and just enough in Toronto on Tuesday when they were the beneficiaries of a favorable non-call.

Carmelo Anthony stepped out of bounds with about 20 seconds left in the two-point win. The referees admitted afterward that they blew the call. One night later, the call went against the Knicks when Porzingis failed to get the shot off in six-tenths of a second and the Knicks lost by two.

"There've been a lot of ups and downs -- a crazy two days," Robin Lopez said. "You think about whether Carmelo stepped out of bounds [Tuesday] night. What if this many seconds were on the clock as opposed to point-six? That's how it goes in the NBA. One minute you have a feeling of euphoria. The next you're down in the dumps."

The Knicks haven't experienced much euphoria, but things seem to be moving in a positive direction as they welcome LeBron James and the Cavaliers into the Garden on Friday night.

Porzingis is proving he's better than anyone expected. The poised rookie is averaging 11.6 points and 9.0 rebounds, and clearly doesn't shy away from the big moment.

The play was for Porzingis to set a screen for Anthony so he could pop out for a three. But Porzingis also was going to cut to the basket for a lob if that was available. When he saw how the defense was playing him, Porzingis popped out himself and tried to decide the game.

"He seems to embrace those moments," Derek Fisher said.

"He came in the game and he was ready," Anthony said. "He took the shot. That opportunity presented itself and he almost took advantage of it."

The Knicks were kicking themselves for blowing a double-digit fourth-quarter lead to the Hornets, and allowing them to win on a layup on an under-the-basket inbounds play with under a second to go.

Anthony also blamed himself for badly missing a go-ahead jumper with about four seconds to go on a night that his shot was falling. Overall, though, the Knicks were in good spirits.

They were joking around with Arron Afflalo, who scored 12 points in his Knicks debut after missing the first eight games with a hamstring injury.

Now the Knicks have to turn their attention to trying to limit James and beat the Cavaliers in the start of a three-game home stand. The Knicks are 1-3 at home and the Cavaliers have won their last seven after dropping their season opener.

James scored 11 in the fourth quarter against the Knicks last week in Cleveland, lifting the Cavaliers to the 10-point victory. He usually gets up for playing at the Garden and against his good friend Anthony, who does the same.

"It's fun," Anthony said. "We know each other's games. He brings the best out of me and I bring the best out of him. Both teams are very competitive when these games come along. I'm pretty sure we both look forward to these games."

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.