NY Knicks: After back-to-back wins over the Pacers, the Knicks are back at the world’s most famous arena to face the Toronto Raptors. The last time the Raptors were in the Garden they left victorious. Now comes the challenge for the Knicks to continue their winning streak against the struggling Raptors. The Knicks are without backup point guard Baron Davis, out with a strained groin muscle.
It was a very physcial game to start as Jeremy Lin suffered a bloody nose earlier in the 1st quarter. It appears the word is out to be more physical with Lin off the pick and roll, not allowing him access to the paint, where he can deliver the easy pass to cutting players. Now Lin has to earn every basket the hard way – no easy shots in the lane or uncontested three pointers.
It was another good first half for the Knicks with balanced scoring by the front line: Amar’e with 10 points, and Melo added 9 as the Knicks continued to share the ball on offense. It appears that Mike Woodson has turned this team into a competitive, hungry team. Now when opponents face the Knicks “it’s game on” – no more lackluster performances from the star players.
In the third quarter it was Jeremy Lin providing the offense, connecting from downtown pushing the lead to 15 points with 6:30 remaining. Jeremy was the leading scoring in the quarter . Bench play was key in the quarter as well, providing instant offense to keep the Knicks in the lead throughout the 3rd quarter.
Toronto would fight back in the fourth cutting the Knicks lead to nine with 8:40 left. After a time out by Knicks coach Mike Woodson it was all about getting stops and forcing the Raptors to take bad shots with the shot clock running down. It was all Knicks after that as Amar’e Stoudmire led the way with 22 points and 12 rebounds, the final score 106 to 87.
Vernon McKenzie: PureSportsNY