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Tuesday, Jan. 10
7:00pm
TV: MSG, NBALP
Radio: ESPN 1050
Preview:Once the New York Knicks left 2005 behind, they also seemed to put aside some troubles. Suddenly surging after an exciting homestand, they will try for their first four-game win streak in two seasons Tuesday when they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Stephon Marbury continued his improved play with 23 points and a season-high 15 assists in Sunday's 120-116 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics, giving the club a 3-0 mark in 2006.
Maurice Taylor came off the bench to score a season-high 23 points and Eddy Curry chipped in 22 for the Knicks, who shot 84 percent (32-of-38) from the line and overcame a 10-point deficit after one quarter.
Marbury has been the catalyst in the new year, averaging 23.7 points and recording 36 assists against just eight turnovers.
New York averaged 124.3 points on the homestand but will be hard-pressed to continue that trend against the Cavaliers, who have allowed at least 100 points just twice in a 9-2 run that includes Saturday's 96-88 win over Milwaukee.
LeBron James scored 35 points and engineered a fourth-quarter comeback for Cleveland, which held a 49-39 rebounding advantage and had just nine turnovers. James spearheaded the clean effort with seven rebounds and six assists against no turnovers.
Before embarking on a season-high six-game road trip, the Cavaliers will try to build on their recent success in the series. They won seven of eight meetings with the Knicks over the last two seasons
If I were LB I would have Q-Rich & Ariza switch on and off defending Lebron. They won't shut him down but all they need to do is make him take tough shots to help give us a chance.
FINAL SCORE
Knicks - 92
Cavs - 84
Box Score
Recap:For whatever reason, the New York Knicks are responding to Larry Brown now that the calendar has flipped to 2006.
Jamal Crawford collected 26 points and 10 rebounds and Stephon Marbury added 22 points as the Knicks improved to 4-0 in the new year with a 92-84 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Rookie Channing Frye contributed 16 points and seven rebounds off the bench and Eddy Curry added 12 and eight for the Knicks, who snapped a five-game road losing streak.
New York trailed, 68-57, with just over three minutes to play in the third quarter but tied the game at 75-75 on Crawford's fadeaway jumper with 9:27 remaining.
After Cleveland opened an 81-77 edge on a 3-pointer by Mike Wilks with 7:46 to go, New York went on a 15-1 run before LeBron James made a meaningless bank shot with 17 seconds left that capped the scoring.
James scored 36 points but had just four in the final period while being blanketed by Quentin Richardson. The third-year superstar also contributed seven rebounds and seven assists for the Cavaliers, who had won seven of the previous eight meetings in the series.
Drew Gooden had 14 points and 12 rebounds but was held scoreless and had just one board in the fourth quarter for Cleveland, which shot a woeful 20 percent (4-of-20) in the final period.
