CLEVELAND — Kevin Knox threw down the one-handed slam and let out a scream.

The usually mild-mannered rookie was fired up after his dunk put the Knicks up by one point over the Cleveland Cavaliers with 33 seconds remaining Wednesday night.

Less than a minute earlier, Knox had drained a clutch three-pointer that sliced the Knicks' deficit.

The win ended up escaping the Knicks because they couldn't execute the plays they needed to make in the final seconds and Cleveland pulled away for the 113-106 victory.

Knox's performance, though, was an encouraging sign for the Knicks.

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Slotted back into the starting lineup before the game, Knox finished with 19 points on 7-of-15 shooting, including 3-of-6 from the perimeter, with seven rebounds in 32 minutes.

And the two big plays in the final minute showed how Knox is playing with confidence, especially at a critical moment in the game.

"Every game – you’re just starting to see him get a little bit better and get a little more aggressive and a little more certain," coach David Fizdale said. "I’m really happy with the way he’s growing."

Knox's slam came after Emmanuel Mudiay corralled a rebound after a Cavaliers miss and broke up court. Mudiay sent a bounce pass to Knox, who slammed it home over Matthew Dellavedova.

As fired up as Knox was, Fizdale matched him on the sideline.

"We fought really hard to come back," Knox said. "So I think that moment right there emotionally it was fun. I was excited. We went up one, ended up losing the game, but that was a fun move for me, probably one of my best throughout the season, just to see my teammates cheering me, coaches are happy and hyped. It was pretty cool."

Positive signs

In his last two games, Knox is averaging 22.5 points and 11 rebounds.

The 19-year-old's rookie season has been up and down. He's had a tough start on both ends of the floor.

But Knox is beginning to get more comfortable.

The Knicks got off to a terrible start as the Cavaliers scored 39 points in the first quarter. Their defense eventually improved, but by then it was too late.

Regardless, Knox said he felt good playing with the starters.

"I felt pretty good running with that starting five," he said. "I think we ran really well. Just got to keep it up. We’ll watch film, learn from it. Defensively we’ve got to get a lot better, be able to come out a little more aggressive."

Fizdale said he wanted to get Knox back into the starting lineup partly so he could keep his minutes up. Even if Knox struggles at times, Fizdale needs the rookie to fight through them.

Lately, though, Knox is playing with more confidence.

"I mean I’m just trying as much as possible to be able to make plays throughout the whole game," Knox said.

"But those two were some big plays. Coach kept telling me keep playing, live for that moment."

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Email: iseman@northjersey.com