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Friday, Jan. 6
7:30pm
TV: MSG, NBALP
Radio: 1050 ESPN
Preview:Two of the most disappointing teams in the NBA meet Friday when the Washington Wizards visit the New York Knicks.
A lot was expected of the Wizards following their playoff run last season and a 5-1 start to this campaign. However, they have gone just 7-16 since that point and are in the midst of a three-game slide.
Washington began a stretch in which it plays five straight sub-.500 teams Tuesday by dropping a 123-111 home contest to Houston.
Gilbert Arenas scored 44 points but that could not overcome the Wizards' defense, which has given up 251 points in its last two games. Washington is giving up an average of 101.8 points, third-worst in the league.
Many thought New York would be a playoff factor in the Eastern Conference under Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown, but the team is teetering with one of the worst records in the league, thanks to a 3-12 record in its last 15 games.
The Knicks will be looking to build off a thrilling 140-133 triumph against Phoenix in the first triple-overtime game in the history of Madison Square Garden.
Stephon Marbury collected 32 points and 10 assists against his former team and Jamaal Crawford added 29 points for New York, which ended a three-game slide.
Washington posted an 86-75 win here November 4 - the second game of the season for both teams. Arenas scored 27 points while Marbury countered with 19 for the Knicks, who shot just 33 percent (27-of-82).
FINAL SCORE
Knicks - 113
Wizards - 92
Box Score
Recap:Rookie Channing Frye, Stephon Marbury and a stifling defense were the keys as the New York Knicks matched their best surge of the season.
Frye matched a season high with 30 points and Marbury added 16 and 11 assists as the Knicks rolled to a 113-92 triumph over the slumping Washington Wizards and posted consecutive wins for just the second time this season.
New York also slowed down one of the most potent offenses in the NBA en route to its first back-to-back wins since November 13-14. The Wizards shot just 35 percent (13-of-37) from the field in the second half as a tight ballgame became a laugher.
The Knicks did a particularly good job on Gilbert Arenas, who had scored 40-plus points in his last two games. The league's fourth-leading scorer had 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting in the first quarter but just six the rest of the way, sinking just 2-of-9 shots.
Frye was the catalyst as New York broke a 63-63 deadlock midway through the third quarter by going on a 13-2 burst. The impressive youngster scored nine points during the surge with Marbury adding four, including the capper on a jumper with 2:43 left.
The Knicks led by at least 10 points after a pair of free throws by Frye made it 78-67 with 1:07 left in the period. The lead grew to 23 points in the fourth quarter.
Defense again was the culprit as Washington lost its fourth straight game. During the slide, the Wizards have yielded an average of 117 points.
