Even without the new guys on the floor, the Knicks have been invigorated by Thursday’s trades. Maybe that’s what happens when the organization’s message is clear: Forget 2010, win now.
With surging Nate Robinson (26 points) and Wilson Chandler (team- and career-high 32) leading an offensive barrage, the Knicks humiliated the Raptors, 127-97, blasting them back to Canada and equaling their win total from all of last season in the process. They also moved within two games of the eighth-place Bucks.
The Knicks (23-31), whose 30-point edge was the largest of the season, opened up a 9-0 lead and never looked back. Their bulge crested at 38 in the third. The two teams meet again tomorrow in Toronto, where the Knicks likely will have Larry Hughes and Chris Wilcox on the court.
“The move was made to try to go out and win,” Quentin Richardson said. “Everyone’s saying the other moves [in November] were made for 2010. This was definitely made for now.”
David Lee stormed for 24 points and 15 boards and Al Harrington dumped in 20. “We had four, five guys on fire,” D’Antoni said.
The Knicks rang up 42 points after one quarter, the most the Raptors have allowed in the first this season. The Knicks logged 75 by halftime and hit the 100-point mark late in the third quarter.
Robinson, fresh off dunking on the “Late Show with David Letterman” Thursday, made 10 of 18 shots, dazzled with shake-and-bake moves to the bucket to go along with four 3-pointers. Early in the fourth, with the Knicks up 36, Robinson didn’t quit his hotdog act, with a no-look pass on the break to Chandler for a dunk.
That the Raptors didn’t lay one hard foul on “KryptoNate” while he continued to rub it in was testament to Toronto’s sorry state.
“Guys’ spirits are high,” Robinson said. “We’re elevating.”
At one point, when Robinson shot free throws, fans in an upper section of the Garden chanted “MVP.” Yes, it was a delirious night.
D’Antoni was in a jolly mood. “We did it on Italian night, and I think that’s important,” D’Antoni quipped, referring to the Garden theme to commemorate the first Danilo Gallinari-Andrea Bargnani showdown.
The Knicks, reduced to eight men because of the trades, rang up 17 treys. The Wilcox/Malik Rose trade became official when both players passed their physicals, allowing Wilcox to dress. But he did not play. D’Antoni feared injury because Wilcox hadn’t slept in two days.
Wilcox and Hughes are expected to play tomorrow.
“We do have money in 2010 but we’re not waiting for that,” D’Antoni said.
*
With the playoff push underway, D’Antoni would not guarantee Gallinari (3-of-10, 10 points) fits into the rotation following the trades. D’Antoni wants a nine-man rotation and has 10 guys to pick from. “We’re trying to make the playoffs,” D’Antoni said. “We’ll play the best players. If he’s part of that, fine. If not, that’s what the summer’s for.” . . .
Donnie Walsh said he spoke to union attorney Hal Biagas about Stephon Marbury, but reported no progress. Walsh is planning for the arbitration hearing Feb. 24 over Marbury’s $400,000 fine for “refusing” to play. . . .
Walsh said he’s compiling a list of D-League players and recently waived players for the newly created two roster spots. Quincy Douby and Mikki Moore were waived. Walsh said D-Leaguer Patrick Ewing Jr. is “on the list.”. . . . Lee believes the Knicks’ decision not to trade him Thursday is an indication they will sign him this summer. “They’d love to re-sign me, I’d love to be here,” Lee said.
Knicks 127 Raptors 97
