Knicks Look to Keep Rolling Vs. Suns

After a furious fourth-quarter rally gave them a dramatic win over Milwaukee on Friday night, the Knicks look to continue their hot streak at The Garden against the dangerous Phoenix Suns on Sunday night.

The Suns, in first place in the Western Conference’s Pacific Division, are one of the true elite NBA teams, and to beat them, New York will have to be at its best. This is a big game on the Knicks’ schedule, because a victory over the Suns, coming on the heels of New York’s recent wins over Utah, Chicago and Milwaukee, would provide a big confidence boost for the Knicks at what is still a very early point in the season.

Stopping the Suns is no easy task. Phoenix scores 109 points per game, second in the league, and they do it on 48 percent shooting, third in the NBA. The Suns get the job done on defense too, averaging nine steals per game, fifth in the league.

Phoenix is an immensely talented team, but it all starts and ends with Steve Nash. The star point guard is first in assists with almost 11 per game and first in free throw percentage, as he has yet to miss a shot from the line this season. In addition, he nets 20 points a game to lead the team.

On Nov. 13, when these teams last met in Phoenix, Nash was held to only five points on 33 percent shooting. But even in that game, he dished out 12 assists and ran the Suns’ fast-break offense to perfection.

On that night, an 11-point loss for the Knicks, Amare Stoudemire’s 28 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks caused New York fits. For the season, the athletic center averages 19 points, eight rebounds, two blocks and a steal per game.

Although he is the most famous of the Suns’ big men, Stoudemire is not necessarily the most athletic. Shawn Marion fills the boxscore and helps make the Suns tick, as he scores 17 points per game with almost no plays being called for him. Moreover, his rebounding and defense are keys to Phoenix’s fast-break approach, as he hauls in almost 12 rebounds, swipes over two steals and blocks more than a shot per contest. His fast hands, impressive rebounding and ability to finish on the break help the Suns maintain one of the most feared offensive attacks in the NBA.

Grant Hill chips in as well, scoring 15 points and providing tough defense, constant energy and veteran leadership on this team. Leandro Barbosa serves as a super-sub of sorts, as he averages 18 points per contest off the bench and sparks the team when the starters need some rest.

If the last game, two weeks ago, was any indication, the Knicks will need to work hard to contain Stoudemire. That task will fall to many, but certainly New York’s big men, Zach Randolph, David Lee and Eddy Curry will need to come up big on Sunday.

Though Curry is known best as a scorer, Knicks President, Basketball Operations, and Head Coach, Isiah Thomas, believes the pivotman is at his best when his greatest effort and impact is on the defensive end.

“The next step for Eddy is to be able to affect the game without him scoring 20 points,” Thomas said.

Randolph, a key player in Friday night’s win over the Bucks, missed the last game against the Suns. He will be another important piece of the puzzle against Phoenix

“I just wanted to come out and be aggressive … I wanted to come out, get good position around the basket and play hard,” Randolph said after beating Milwaukee.

Going into the tough matchup against the Suns, the Knicks have to be happy about the improved play of Jamal Crawford. When he is on, Crawford is an elite weapon for this team, a game-breaker and a crunch-time player. On Friday, his play announced that he is on a hot streak. His 25 points, and especially his 10 in the fourth quarter, propelled the Knicks to victory and showed they type of player Crawford is capable of being.

When Crawford is playing well, New York adds another dimension to their balanced attack. His work in the backcourt may be especially valuable on Sunday, as Marbury’s status for the game is in question. Though the Knicks point guard insisted the injury was nothing major, it is still unclear how much or if he will play.

In addition to Crawford, others will have to pick up the slack if Marbury is unable to play. Against the Bucks, Fred Jones played stifling defense and displayed an impressive scoring touch, as he netted all ten of his points in the fourth quarter. If Marbury is forced to miss the game, he is certainly confident in Jones’ ability to help replace him.