Knicks Roll Past Raptors, Match '07-'08 Win Total

[canihavu]

Knicks Roll Past Raptors, Match '07-'08 Win Total

Feb 20, 10:07 PM (ET)

By BRIAN MAHONEY


NEW YORK (AP) -Wilson Chandler scored a career-high 32 points, Nate Robinson added 26, and the New York Knicks matched their victory total from last season with a 127-97 rout of the Toronto Raptors on Friday night.

David Lee had 16 of his 24 in the Knicks' 42-point first quarter that signaled an early end to this one. New York led by as many as 38 and rolled to its easiest victory of the season in the opener of a home-and-home series.

The Knicks can better last season's 23-59 mark under Isiah Thomas with a victory Sunday afternoon in Toronto.

Al Harrington finished with 20 points. Lee also grabbed 15 rebounds in his 18th straight double-double and 43rd this season.

Joey Graham scored 19 points, Andrea Bargnani had 18 and Shawn Marion had 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Raptors. Chris Bosh shot just 4-of-13 and scored 12 points after missing the previous five games with a sprained right knee.

The Knicks scored the first nine points and raced to a 42-22 lead after one quarter. They hit 16 of 22 shots (73 percent), the final one when Robinson drilled a 3-pointer while falling down just in front of the New York bench and then reached up to slap hands with coach Mike D'Antoni while lying on his back.

The lead ballooned to 30 when Harrington's 3-pointer made it 75-45 with 1:14 left, giving the Knicks time to break the present Madison Square Garden record of 82 points in a first half they set earlier this season against Golden State. But they didn't score again and settled for a 75-50 lead at the break.

The biggest lead was 98-60 on Harrington's 3-pointer with 4:27 left in the third and New York hit the century mark soon after on Danilo Gallinari's 3.

Before the game, the Knicks introduced new arrivals Larry Hughes and Chris Wilcox, acquired in separate deals before Thursday's deadline. Wilcox was in uniform, while Hughes hadn't yet been cleared to play.

Both will have to get back into playing shape to keep up in D'Antoni's uptempo system. Hughes hasn't played since Jan. 12 after falling out of favor in Chicago, while Wilcox was on the court for just 21½ minutes in eight games this month for Oklahoma City.

"I'm in good shape as far as being fit, but basketball shape, I haven't played in a month, so it's definitely going to take some getting out there and running up and down and playing some defense to get in basketball shape," Hughes said. "I stay in pretty good shape, so that shouldn't be much of a problem."

The best deals for the Knicks might have been the ones they didn't make. Lee and Robinson were considered candidates to be moved because both will be restricted free agents this summer, and the Knicks may not want to give them the big raises they could demand so they can save money for the free agent summer of 2010. Both are playing too well to give up now, coming into the game averaging 16.4 points apiece. ^

Notes:

With Italians Bargnani and Gallinari in the game, the Knicks celebrated Italian heritage night, featuring music and even the starting lineups announced in Italian. The game was being televised in Italy live on Sky Sports. Though it started past midnight in Italy, D'Antoni, who played and coached there, said the fans would have no trouble staying up late to watch. "They're just getting through the second bottle of wine," he joked. "They'll be fine." ... Banished Knicks guard Stephon Marbury, still hoping for a buyout so he can go play elsewhere, turned 32.

[canihavu]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!