Though a 113-96 loss to the defending champion Lakers was probable for the Knicks (just as it would be for many other teams, for that matter), it also meant that the Knicks fell to 2-5 in their last 7 games.
After losses to teams like the 76ers and Clippers, the loss to Kobe Bryant and the Lakers hurt that much more for the Knicks.
Thus, a win last night vs. the local rival Nets was crucial for the Knicks. Although the team found itself playing without All-Star starting power forward, Amar'e Stoudemire, the expectation for a win was still present.
Stoudemire was a late game-time scratch, citing a sprained toe as his injury.
In addition to setting out to help his team secure a victory, Wilson Chandler was hoping to break out of a slump that has carried over since his return from an injury as he entered the Knicks’ starting lineup in place of Stoudemire.
Playing without their leader meant that the Knicks needed would need various contributions to make up for Stoudemire’s missing star power.
It turned out that even without Stoudemire, the Knicks proved they could still do what they are supposed to do against weaker teams—win—as they defeated the Nets on the road by a score of 105-95.
In what was a rather quiet night offensively overall for the Knicks’ starters, Chandler stepped up, leading the team with 21 points, once again showing sparks of what made him an early favorite for this season’s “Most Improved Player” award.
Luckily for Chandler and company, Toney Douglas also got his groove back, scoring 19 points off the bench, shooting 3 for 6 from long range as well.
The bench seemed to provide the meat to the starters’ potatoes last night, with the Knicks getting multiple positive performances off the bench. In addition to Douglas, Bill Walker (who hasn’t played in the team’s most recent games) added 11 points, Shawne Williams poured in 8 of his own, and Ronny Turiaf returned from an injury-plagued three game absence with 6 points as well.
The three-point field goal was abundant for the Knicks in last night’s win---Chandler, Douglas, and Walker all made three shots from downtown, as did Landry Fields, who scored 14 points and also hit a shot late in the game that seemed to seal the victory for New York.
Though he shot 4 for 13 from the field, Raymond Felton turned in a double-double, scoring 13 and dishing out 11 assists.
The Knicks return home to play the Hawks on Wednesday. Hopefully a few days of rest will prove to be enough for Stoudemire to feel up to returning.
After losses to teams like the 76ers and Clippers, the loss to Kobe Bryant and the Lakers hurt that much more for the Knicks.
Thus, a win last night vs. the local rival Nets was crucial for the Knicks. Although the team found itself playing without All-Star starting power forward, Amar'e Stoudemire, the expectation for a win was still present.
Stoudemire was a late game-time scratch, citing a sprained toe as his injury.
In addition to setting out to help his team secure a victory, Wilson Chandler was hoping to break out of a slump that has carried over since his return from an injury as he entered the Knicks’ starting lineup in place of Stoudemire.
Playing without their leader meant that the Knicks needed would need various contributions to make up for Stoudemire’s missing star power.
It turned out that even without Stoudemire, the Knicks proved they could still do what they are supposed to do against weaker teams—win—as they defeated the Nets on the road by a score of 105-95.
In what was a rather quiet night offensively overall for the Knicks’ starters, Chandler stepped up, leading the team with 21 points, once again showing sparks of what made him an early favorite for this season’s “Most Improved Player” award.
Luckily for Chandler and company, Toney Douglas also got his groove back, scoring 19 points off the bench, shooting 3 for 6 from long range as well.
The bench seemed to provide the meat to the starters’ potatoes last night, with the Knicks getting multiple positive performances off the bench. In addition to Douglas, Bill Walker (who hasn’t played in the team’s most recent games) added 11 points, Shawne Williams poured in 8 of his own, and Ronny Turiaf returned from an injury-plagued three game absence with 6 points as well.
The three-point field goal was abundant for the Knicks in last night’s win---Chandler, Douglas, and Walker all made three shots from downtown, as did Landry Fields, who scored 14 points and also hit a shot late in the game that seemed to seal the victory for New York.
Though he shot 4 for 13 from the field, Raymond Felton turned in a double-double, scoring 13 and dishing out 11 assists.
The Knicks return home to play the Hawks on Wednesday. Hopefully a few days of rest will prove to be enough for Stoudemire to feel up to returning.
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