CLEVELAND — The Knicks arrived and left Cleveland with the same problem: Their defense is atrocious against the NBA’s best. Tom Thibodeau’s group was massacred Friday night by Kenny Atkinson’s high-octane Cavaliers, who made the Knicks look jayvee in a 142-105 laugher.

The New York Knicks have done everything except beat the NBA’s elite this season. And after this weekend, it feels like they never will. After the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers thumped New York by 37 points Friday night,

The New York Knicks continue to struggle in that regard.  The Boston Celtics blew out the Knicks on Sunday, 118-105, leading by as many as 27 points in the third quarter. The Knicks cut the deficit to four points early in the fourth before the Celtics stopped playing with their food and pulled away.