The Korea Herald

피터빈트

Knicks reach 4-0 under Woodson

By Korea Herald

Published : March 21, 2012 - 19:07

    • Link copied

NEW YORK (AP) ― Four straight easy victories, and now a big test ahead for the New York Knicks.

Defeated and deflated by Philadelphia 10 days ago, the Knicks are rolling into the rematch.

“Guys are playing at a very high, confident level right now,” Carmelo Anthony said. “We just want to bottle that up and move on and keep it going.”

Amare Stoudemire had 22 points and 12 rebounds, Jeremy Lin added 18 points and 10 assists, and the Knicks improved to 4-0 under Mike Woodson by beating the Toronto Raptors 106-87 on Tuesday night.

Anthony and Tyson Chandler each scored 17 points for the Knicks, who bring a week’s worth of momentum to Philadelphia on Wednesday night for a matchup with the Atlantic Division-leading 76ers. The Knicks rode another night of balanced scoring and renewed defensive intensity to a comfortable lead for most of the final three quarters, leaping in celebration after a series of strong defensive plays in the fourth.

“Everybody feels great. Having fun, enjoying the game of basketball, and that’s what it’s about,” Stoudemire said. “When you enjoy doing your job, then it makes it much easier to play and that’s what’s happening right now.”

DeMar DeRozan scored 17 points for the Raptors. Jose Calderon had 11 points and nine assists in his return from a five-game absence with a sprained right ankle, but backup Jerryd Bayless was lost to a left hip pointer in the second half.

The Knicks were right around their stats through Woodson’s first three games, allowing 89 points per game on 39 percent shooting while averaging 112.7 points and outscoring opponents by 16 per game.

“They’re a tenacious, different team,” Toronto coach Dwane Casey said. “It’s amazing, their tenacity, the way they attack. If you don’t meet it, they take you out.”

It’s a complete turnaround since perhaps their most deflating effort under Mike D’Antoni, a 106-94 home loss to the 76ers on March 11, when the coach lamented that the Knicks didn’t always play hard. He lasted just one more game before deciding to resign last Wednesday.

Indiana 102, LA Clippers 89

Miami 99, Phoenix 95

Houston 107, LA Lakers 104

Utah 97, Oklahoma City 90

Milwaukee 116, Portland 87

Sacramento 119, Memphis 110