There was no doubt about the energy and effort by the home crowd at the Quicken Loans Arena in Ohio. There were lots of doubts on the energy and effort by the Cleveland Cavaliers when they opened the 2014-2015 NBA Season against the New York Knicks on Thursday night.

Carmelo Anthony had 25 points on an efficient 9-of-17 field goal shooting and a bunch of unheralded players-- Jason Smith (12 points) and Quincy Acy (8 points and 10 rebounds)-- contributed as the Knicks beat the Cavaliers, 95-90 on the road to surprise the powerhouse squad featuring LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving right at the Cavaliers' backyard.

It was a special evening for an emotional LeBron James, who donned the Cavaliers jersey for the first time since leaving in 2010 and after jilting the Miami Heat in the 2014 offseason. The novelty eventually faded as the game went along with Cleveland struggling with the new faces turning the ball over 19 times in the game including three from their franchise player, who had 3 TOs of his own in the opening quarter. James had a total of eight turnovers and missed 10-of-15 shots from the field.

Love also struggled from the field shooting just 6-of-14 FGs although he finished with a double-double of 19 points and 14 rebounds. Irving finished with a team-high 22 markers.

Anthony and the Knicks responded well after getting blown out by the Chicago Bulls, 104-80 in their season opener and being down at the half, 44-42. The Knicks outscored the Cavaliers, 53-46 in the second half and doused Cleveland's repeated rallies in the payoff period. J.R. Smith added 11 points and 7 assists for New York, which improved to 1-1 for the season.

Aside from not taking care of the ball, Cleveland also struggled defensively as they allowed the Knicks to shoot 53.6% from the field (37/69 FGs) and 50.0% from behind the arc (6/12 3FGs).

View the slideshow for more images from the New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers match-up on Thursday night.

LeBron James mural in Cleveland
Oct 30, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Traffic backs up outside of Quicken Loans Arena where a new LeBron James mural was installed. Reuters
LeBron James throws chalk
Oct 30, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; LeBron James throws chalk in the air during his pregame ritual prior to the game against the New York Knicks at Quicken Loans Arena. Reuters
LeBron James react
Oct 30, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after scoring a layup while being fouled in the first quarter against the New York Knicks at Quicken Loans Arena. Reuters
LeBron James throw chalk
Oct 30, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; LeBron James throw chalk in the air during his pregame ritual prior to the game against the New York Knicks at Quicken Loans Arena. Reuters
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving
Oct 30, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) drives past New York Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire (left) and guard Shane Larkin (0) in the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Reuters
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James
Oct 30, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) knocks the ball away from New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Reuters
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (left) steals the ball from New York Knicks guard Shane Larkin (0) in the fourth quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Reuters
James and Anthony
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (back) hugs New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) after the Knicks' 95-90 win over the Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Reuters
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