After a disappointing 1-3 road trip, the Knicks finally returned home with a vengeance, defeating the 76ers 117-103.
Though the Knicks final loss of their road trip in fact came at the hands of the 76ers Friday in Philly, the team made sure that did not happen again.
With the Knicks missing Ronny Turiaf due to an ankle injury, and Wilson Chandler coming off the bench, Timofey Mozgov got the start at center for the orange and blue.
Though he did pull down 8 rebounds, it wasn't Mozgov who was the big story once the game began; Amar'e Stoudemire (matching a season-high 41 points) and Landry Fields (a career-high 25 points and 10 rebounds) led the way as the Knicks pounced on the 76ers from the get-go.
Though the relinquished a lead late in the 2nd quarter, the Knicks otherwise led in the game virtually the whole way through. Looking to out dual Elton Brand (who had a season-high 33 points on Friday), Stoudemire dominated, shooting 17 for 21 from the field as he matched his previous season's high total. Fields planted himself in the corner (ala Shawne Williams) to knock down three pointer after three pointer. While some players may get frazzled with an incoming defender going their way, Fields looked calm and collected with every shot. As Stoudemire is expected to dominate on a nightly basis, perhaps it should be Fields who should be credited with providing his team with an ultimate boost.
Stoudemire and Fields can certainly both thank their efficient floor general, Raymond Felton, who turned in 13 points and 13 assists, finding his teammates again and again. His performance followed a 26 point game on Friday, fresh off an All-Star snub.
The Knicks will host LA's favorite sons, as Kobe Bryant and Blake Griffin lead their respective teams to the Garden this week.
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