Knicks taste third straight victory
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New York Knicks seemed to be back on track after extending their winning streak to three by edging out Portland Trail Blazers 93-84 on Monday at Madison Square Garden.
The victories over Atlanta Hawks, New Jersey Nets and Trail Blazers, two of which ranked in top ten of NBA week power standings, helped the lowly Knicks rebuild morale after a dismal season start.
The most defense-less franchise of NBA just gradually built up defense and nailed four wins out of the past five as the only defeat went to Orlando Magic, the NBA finalists last season.
The 27-point crush on Dec. 1 upon Phoenix Suns, the league leaders before the matchup, functioned as a catalyst for Knicks, which fell to 3-14 before the astonishing 126-99 outcome.
In the lastest four triumphs over Suns, Hawks, Nets and Blazers, Knicks allowed points of 99, 107, 97, 84 respectively, far less the average of 110 plus prior to the spell of rebound thanks to reinforced defense.
The Knicks were propelled by shooting well in the wave of victories averaging around 45 percentage point in total field goals and also 3-pointers.
In the win over injury-depleted Blazers, Larry Hughes scored 21 points, David Lee had 17 points and 10 rebounds for their season-high third straight victory. Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler each added 14 points.
Knicks discovered the way to play better basketball after coach Mike D'Antoni shortened his rotation and has found a squad willing to defend.
Brandon Roy scored 27 points and LaMarcus Aldridge had 19 points and 13 rebounds for the Trail Blazers, whose injuries startat the center spot and extend right through the coach's seat.
Greg Oden underwent a surgery Sunday after breaking his left kneecap in the Blazers' victory over Houston. Rudy Fernandez (sciatic pain) was also out, joining Travis Outlaw (broken left foot) and Nicolas Batum (right shoulder surgery).
And coach Nate McMillan wasn't around, either, after having surgery Monday in Vancouver. McMillan ruptured his right Achilles' tendon during practice Friday after taking the floor with a team missing so many bodies.
Anybody would have helped in the third quarter, when the Knicks closed the period with an 18-4 spurt to open a 78-55 bulge on Hughes' 3-pointer with 4.2 seconds left. New York outscored Portland 60-37 across the middle two quarters to snap a five-game losing streak in the series.
Portland tried to muster a rally, pulling within nine midway through the fourth after consecutive baskets by Jerryd Bayless.
Gallinari ended the run with a 3-pointer, then fed Hughes for a3-point play that quickly made it 86-71 with 5:40 remaining.
