Knicks Win! Lee Sinks Sixers

David Lee came out firing tonight. He started off 4-4 from the field and then finished the game with 4 straight buckets. The game was a back and forth fight and Lee's right handed lay in high off glass proved to be the game winner, and a win like this sure is sweet.

The Knicks don't win many tight ones like this 93-92 affair, and most probably expected Rodney Carney's last second 3 pointer would fell the Knicks, but it missed and the Knicks were the victors. Lee finished 10-20, hitting 8-8 on his first and last 4 shots, and going 2-12 in between. Lee came one rebound short of another double double, but the win has to be a nice pick me up for Lee, who lost his beloved grandfather E. Desmond Lee. Lee the elder was a great philanthropist, donating over 70 million in his lifetime.

Jared Jeffries had an amazing 15 points, including 11 in the first half. He hit a lefty layup off the dribble, a three pointer from the top of the key, a short jumpshot and dunked the ball. This was probably JJ's best game, as he grabbed 9 rebounds (4 offensive), had 2 steals, 1 block, 3 assists and caused immeasurable havoc on defense. He is either working closer to getting traded, or showing himself to be too valuable to deal.

The Knicks youthful duo of Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari both played large parts in the victory. The Rooster was just 4-11, but he had 12 points, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks, with no turnovers. It was a very good bounce back from the "ghastly" performance in Oklahoma City. He led the team with a +13 in +/-, which I actually think is a good measure of his value to the game. It just seemed like when Gallo was in, the Knicks were a better team. He clearly had a pep in his step and even elevated nicely on a fastbreak dunk. I clamored for him when he was still riding the pine with 4 minutes left and the team faltering, and when he was eventually inserted, the comeback was on. Even when he is not scoring, crunch time is rooster time.

Quick sidenote, Gallinari needs to add the pull up jump shot to his arsenal and he will be unstoppable. When he puts the ball on the floor he goes all the way to the rim, and he could use the pullup to mix things up. Donnie Walsh should give him some Dirk film.

Wil has been solid for a while now, and is even drawing some double teams. He played great defense, shot over 50%, and got 18 points on 8-15 shooting. Both Wil and Gallo are developing nicely, and if they keep getting better, we could be looking at a dynamic duo.

For the Sixers Samuel Dalembert represented Earthquake stricken Haiti with an earth shattering performance on the boards. His lanky 6'11" frame looked more like 7'2", and he grabbed an incredible 21 rebounds in 31 minutes. Allen Iverson was hot early with his patented midrange fadeaway, and finished with a quiet 16 points on 14 shots. The Knicks held Andre Igoudala to just 4 points.

The Knicks second unit did not fare well on the offensive end. Al Harrington shot a 3 every time he touched the ball, and was a dreadful 5-15 and 2-7 from deep. I am not happy he came back from the calf injury so quickly, it could have been a blessing in disguise. Nate Robinson also was poor and 4 points on 7 shots.

I am so happy the Knicks managed to shut down the Sixers on that final, game deciding possession. Lee defended Mareese Speights, who had a huge 4th quarter, Wil came with the double right on time, and Gallo scrambled to Iverson and forced him to kick it to Rodney Carney, who just missed the 3 pointer at the buzzer.

Big win and a big learning experience for this team. They don't have much experience winning games that are decided in crunch time.