@
Monday, Jan. 30
7:00pm
TV: MSG, NBALP
Radio: ESPN 1050
Davis returns from suspension for reeling Knicks
Preview:ATLANTA (Ticker) -- The New York Knicks hope the return of Antonio Davis can help reverse their fortunes Monday when they face the Atlanta Hawks, another team in desperate need of a win.
Davis was suspended five games for jumping into the stands during overtime of a 106-104 loss at Chicago on January 18.
Since Davis was coming to the aid of his wife, Kendra, who supposedly was being harassed by a fan, he received a significantly shorter suspension than those given to Indiana's Ron Artest and Jermaine O'Neal for last season's infamous brawl at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
The Knicks lost four of five without their veteran power forward and seven of eight overall following a season-high six-game winning streak. They lost, 91-76, to an Allen Iverson-less Philadelphia 76ers squad Saturday.
Qyntel Woods scored a career-high 24 points on 8-of-11 shooting, but New York shot just 35 percent (24-of-68) overall.
The Hawks have not been much better, dropping five of their last six and nine of 11 despite the best efforts of Joe Johnson.
Johnson scored a career-best 40 points Saturday but was unable to help Atlanta rally from a 24-point second-half deficit en route to a 111-99 loss at Chicago.
Al Harrington and Zaza Pachulia contributed 13 apiece for the Hawks, who are tied with Southeast Division rival Charlotte for the lowest win total in the NBA.
The teams have split two contests this season with the home team winning each time. Johnson scored 36 to lead the Hawks to a 122-111 win here December 16 and Jamal Crawford paced the Knicks with 23 in a 105-94 triumph at New York on January 13.
FINAL SCORE
Knicks - 101
Hawks - 120
boxscore
*Hapless Knicks routed by Hawks*
Recap: ATLANTA (Ticker) -- It's hard to imagine things getting any worse for the New York Knicks.
En route to their eighth loss in nine games, the Knicks were pushed around and threw the ball around in a 120-101 setback to the Atlanta Hawks, who cruised to their biggest win of the season.
Al Harrington had 26 points and 10 rebounds and Joe Johnson scored 24 points for the Hawks, who had lost five of their last six games but looked like one of the best teams in the NBA against a dispirited Knicks squad.
Atlanta has beaten New York twice in three meetings this season, registering its two best offensive outputs in the wins.
During its recent slide, New York has lost by 29 points to Toronto, 26 to Detroit and 15 to Philadelphia without Allen Iverson. Its only win was Friday's home triumph over Orlando in which it nearly blew a 25-point lead.
The Knicks were supposed to have forward Antonio Davis, whose five-game suspension for running into the stands was over but was sidelined by a sore back. In addition, forward Qyntel Woods, who scored a career-high 24 points Saturday at Philadelphia, was hurt in practice Sunday and could not play.
New York was outrebounded, 39-34, and committed 23 turnovers that led to 30 points for Atlanta. It did not make a 3-pointer until the fourth quarter, when it trailed by 30 points before making a half-hearted push.
In the first half, the Knicks shot nearly 53 percent (20-of-38), got to the line 19 times - and trailed, 61-53. Part of the reason was they had 10 defensive rebounds while the Hawks grabbed 12 offensive rebounds and scored 13 second-chance points.
Leading the way was Harrington, who swept five offensive boards and scored 15 points. Johnson added 12 and Tyronn Lue 11 off the bench as Atlanta went to intermission riding a 10-2 run.
It got worse in the second half. After committing just six turnovers in the first half, the Knicks had 12 in the third quarter, leading to 17 points for the Hawks.
A pair of jumpers by rookie Salim Stoudamire fueled an 8-0 surge that included three giveaways by the Knicks and closed the quarter, giving Atlanta a 92-69 lead. Josh Childress opened the final period with two free throws and a jumper before Stoudamire drained a 3-pointer, giving the Hawks their largest lead at 99-69.
Childress scored 15 points and Stoudamire and rookie Marvin Williams added 13 apiece for the Hawks, who shot 48 percent (40-of-84), including 10-of-17 from the arc.
