Knicks Defeat 76ers

The New York Knicks were able to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers 89-81, which gives the Knicks their six victory in ten games.

Knicks head coach Isiah Thomas believes more trust has taken place, and that played apart in their improvement.

"I just think, right now, we're playing with again a lot more trust," Thomas said. "There's a lot more trust and a lot more honesty."

During their unsuccessful season, Thomas said he tried everything. Every idea he used wasn't enough to bring more victories. The Knicks are 14-28, and remain last in the Atlantic Division.

"We have tried everything. I have tried benching, yelling. Again, a lot of your fire needs to come from within," Thomas told the Knicks website. "There's a certain amount of intestinal fortitude that you have to have as a man."

Knicks guard Jamal Crawford finished with 18 points, but struggled shooting 6-19, and 3-8 from three point range. Crawford said the Knicks haven't played this good all-season. "I think we are playing our best ball right now," Crawford told reporters.

76ers coach Maurice Cheeks mentioned that Crawford was used effectively, and that caused their failing effort. "I thought they made plays late in the game, particularly getting the ball in his hands and him being able to get to the basket and make some plays," Cheeks said.

Zach Randolph had 16 points and 15 rebounds. Randolph feels better about the Knicks, and believes team-work was encouragement to their improvement. "We are playing a lot better basketball," Knicks forward Randolph said. "We are playing more together and getting better movement."

Eddy Curry contributed with 11 points, but only attempted seven shots. Curry gave the Knicks credit, and feels their turning around. "I think we are turning the corner as a team," Knicks center Curry said. "We are caring enough to really share the ball."


Knicks guard Nate Robinson had 13 points with 5 assist, and forward David Lee finished with 14 points and 6 rebounds. The Knicks were 5-15 from three point range. The Golden State Warriors are the next competitors for the Knicks; their last meeting wasn't joyful losing 108-82.

"When you're watching a game like we played against the Warriors, the venom that comes out, you deserve it," Thomas said. "The booing, 'Get rid of this guy, get rid of me, get rid of him,' that's how the fans react. It comes with the territory we have and the place that we live in. That's how it is, that's how it goes."

The Knicks have a winning record in their last ten games which is 6-4. Thomas wants to improve, and said its the only concern for him. He understands the Knicks could have won more games, but Thomas believes there's still time.

"That's all we're really concerned about and that's all our team is focused on, how we get better as a basketball team," Thomas said. "All the other stuff you want to talk about, that's up to you guys. But in terms of what we do out on the basketball floor, those are the things that we can control, and out on the basketball floor we had chances to win basketball games."

Andre Iguodala lead with 24 points, but had 6 rebounds. He played 42 minutes, and was 1-6 from three point range. The defense stopped Iguodala's productiveness, and caused him to shot more according to himself.

"They just played good defense," 76ers guard Iguodala said. "The zone played a huge factor in the game. They kept us out of rhythm. We didn't really get too many points in the paint. We shot a lot of jump shots and credit that to their zone."

Guard Andre Miller had 10 points and 6 assist, but shot 4-11 from field goals. Willie Green added with 13 points, and center Samuel Dalembert had 12 points. The 76ers shot .200 percentage from three point range, and shot 2-10.