<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">NEW YORK (Ticker) -- The New York Knicks welcomed a Rose, but Tracy McGrady proved to be a thorn in their side. McGrady scored 19 of his 23 points in the second half and Stromile Swift had 10 points and a key block in the fourth period as the Houston Rockets posted a 93-89 victory over the struggling Knicks. Behind 15 first-half points by Yao Ming and McGrady's big second half, the Rockets were in control most of the way, opening a 12-point third-quarter lead. After the Knicks cut the deficit to three in the closing minutes, a nifty pass from McGrady off a drive resulted in a dunk for Swift and a 86-81 lead with 60 seconds left. After Swift cleared the defensive board on the Knicks next possession, McGrady stuck a jumper with 37 seconds on the clock. However, behind a pair of 3-pointers and a layup by Crawford in a span of 16 seconds, New York pulled within 92-89 and had a chance to tie, but Jalen Rose's straightaway 3-pointer with five seconds left was tipped by Swift. That failed attempt was one of the few mistakes for Rose, who finished with 16 points and a season-high 11 assists in his New York debut. He had a pair of 3-pointers, one coming at the third-period buzzer that cut the Knicks' deficit to three, and his drive to the basket set up the second of Crawford's 3-pointers in the closing seconds. Rose was acquired along with a 2006 first-round pick and an undisclosed amount of cash from Toronto for veteran center Antonio Davis prior to Friday's 104-90 loss against the Raptors. After making just 1-of-8 in the first half, McGrady converted 8-of-18 after the break and added six assists. David Wesley added 19 for the Rockets, who have won three straight and improved to 18-16 with McGrady in the lineup. Crawford scored 24 points and made 5-of-9 shots from the arc for the Knicks, who have lost 11 of their last 12 and played without injured guard Stephon Marbury, who is out with a shoulder injury.</div> <div align="center">Recap l Box Score</div> I didn't see the game, but I listened to it on the radio. Although I was dissapointed in the loss, we have to be grareful the Knicks didn't embarrass themselves on national television and get blown out. We had our opportunities, but we just couldn't capitalize. Not bad for a first game for Rose. He did only shoot 4-12 and have 4 turnovers and 5 fouls, but he racked up 11 assists, and made all 6 of his free throws. Crawford also rebounded from his slump with Rose playing point guard. Richardson unsurprinsgly shot awfully from the field, but he held McGrady to just 23 points on 9-26 shooting (35%), from the field.
I think Qyntel Woods played better defense on McGrady. Richardson was alright at the start, but in the third quarter when TMac got hot, Woods was able to stop him more efficiently than Q did. Crawford was money from three today and the Rose/Curry connection was brilliant. Knicks also adjusted well to Yao's 6/6 start by pushing him out of the key and thus kept him to just 1/10 the rest of the way. Why is Mo Taylor playing so much? Channing Frye totally outdid him, and he needs more minutes to develop.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Locke:</div><div class="quote_post">Why is Mo Taylor playing so much? Channing Frye totally outdid him, and he needs more minutes to develop.</div> Go ask Larry Brown. He baffles me, too.
