NEW YORK KNICKS
Recap Rewind: After a convincing win over their Atlantic division rival Toronto Raptors on March 17th it has been all downhill for Isaiah Thomas and the Knicks. After getting pounded by the Dallas Mavericks, the shorthanded New York squad fell to the lowly Trailblazers. Things didn’t get any better for the Knicks on Friday night either when they managed just 68 points in a 22 point loss to the Cavaliers. Their fourth loss of the week came Monday night in a close contest with the Orlando Magic.
Notable News: Jamal Crawford, Quentin Richardson and David Lee all remain injured after this week. Adding injury to... injury Stephon Marbury and Channing Frye left Friday night’s game early. Fortunately Marbury and Frye were able to return by Thursday… University of Kentucky big man Randolph Morris is a Knick just two weeks removed from his final NCAA game, thanks largely to a loop hole in the collective bargaining agreement. The Knicks were able to snag the potential lottery pick because he had originally declared himself eligible for the 2005 draft, before deciding to return to school… Monday’s loss to the Orlando Magic came with controversy. A last minute block by Dwight Howard allowed Jameer Nelson to knock down a tie-breaking three pointer. Stephon Marbury argues that Howard’s block should have been called goaltending.
Fast Forward: The Knicks have two chances to avenge losses from last week. The first will come against Cleveland on Wednesday, and the second in Dallas on Friday. Although wins here could greatly revitalize the Knicks’ playoff chances (they’re 2 games out), the odds are stacked against them. Until the Knicks can start healing their depleted roster it will be difficult to beat two of the league’s most feared juggernauts. On Saturday night New York will be in Oklahoma to take on the Hornets.
