KNICK NOTES
Nazr Mohammed isn’t heading into tonight’s rematch with Shaquille O’Neal and the almighty Heat on a confidence roll.
Mohammed would have been the ultimate goat Monday in Utah had Stephon Marbury not saved the Knicks in overtime for a 102-99 victory. It avoided what would have been their season’s most absurd loss – in a year already brimming with them.
Up two points with 3.5 seconds left, Mohammed botched two free throws. The Jazz forced the extra session when Raul Lopez hit two free throws after being fouled by Trevor Ariza on last-ditch jumper, capping a 13-point comeback in the final 5:37. It’s one thing to choke like dogs against the mighty Kings. It’s quite another to let the 16-32 Jazz do the defiling.
The Knicks were just happy to have a win to finish their Western trip at 1-5. “I credit my teammates for saving me,” Mohammed said.
They likely can’t save Mohammed tonight as the Heat roll into town. Shaq whipped the Knicks for 33 points and 18 rebounds in 36 minutes in their first meeting on Jan. 5 in Miami. Shaq threw down dunks on the break and in halfcourt sets. Mohammed was in early foul trouble and played like a timid bystander.
Tonight marks Shaq’s first game at the Garden since being traded to Miami, so the Newark native might be trying to tear down some Broadway rims before an expected flood of celebrities. Mohammed said he didn’t make it hard enough for Shaq the first time.
“I know I was in foul trouble and got two quick ones, got a fifth,” Mohammed said. “The game plan is always to stay within you and the basket and make him shoot over you. When we send help, send it hard and rotate.”
The Miami showdown comes after the Knicks’ 10-day trip and the OT game in Utah that caused a 5 a.m. landing yesterday. It’s horrible timing. “It’s kind of disappointing, you have such a long road trip and on the travel day, you prepare for your next team and it’s Miami,” Mohammed said. “We’re disappointed about that. But it’s the NBA. We need to stop the bleeding so we can’t worry about the schedule.”
The Knicks are amidst a 3-16 tailspin. “This losing streak has tested our hearts to see where we’re at,” rookie Trevor Ariza said.
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G Jamal Crawford (sprained ankle) is questionable for tonight while Jerome Williams (sprained foot) underwent an MRI yesterday and may not suit up.
