Knicks Show Spunk In Loss To Trail Blazers

The New York Knicks lost to the Portland Trail Blazers Saturday in their home opener, but they might have won over some of the fans watching the game.

Daily News columnist Mitch Lawrence liked what he saw.

Well, here’s what’s really “new” about the Knicks:

They don’t cower at the first sign of trouble.

They don’t quit.

They stick around and put up a fight.

The Knicks still came out on the short end, losing, 100-95, to a Blazer team that’s one of the top clubs in the West, after the Lakers. Portland knows how to defend and wouldn’t let anyone on the Knicks score in the final minutes, starting with Amar’e Stoudemire. The Blazers outscored the Knicks 17-3 in the final five minutes.

But fans had to leave the Garden noting a huge difference between this team and all the ones they had seen quit at the first sign of trouble in recent seasons.

The new attitude is going to win over New York, provided the Knicks keep it up.

Imagine that. A baketball team at Madison Square Garden that is actually worth watching. It has been a while since there has been one of those.

Anthony Randolph Can Return To Practice For Knicks

Anthony Randolph, who has yet to play this season due to a sprained left ankle, has been cleared to return to practice with the New York Knicks.

Randolph sprained his left ankle Tuesday on the eve of the season opener and the Knicks announced he would miss two weeks, but Randolph has proven to be a speedy healer. The Knicks don’t practice today. Randolph missed the first three games but hopes to suit up Tuesday vs. the Magic.

He has watched from the bench and sees a chance to break in the rotation.

“I feel I can help the team, give them another big man on the bench to give them energy,” Randolph said. “It’s hard to watch. If it was up to me, I’d already have been out there in Boston.”

Randolph, 21, was acquired by the Knicks from Golden State in the David Lee trade. The 6-foot-11, 225-pound third-year player averaged 11.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game a year ago.

Trail Blazers 100, Knicks 95: New York Loses Home Opener

New York, NY (Sports Network) – LaMarcus Aldridge made two free throws over the final 25.5 seconds, and Andre Miller sealed it with two more at the foul line with 5.9 ticks remaining, as Portland spoiled the Knicks’ opener at Madison Square Garden with a 100-95 decision.

Brandon Roy ended with 29 points, Aldridge added 20 points and 10 rebounds and Miller contributed 19 points and 10 assists for the Trail Blazers, who were coming off wins over the Suns and Clippers to start the season.

Wilson Chandler led the Knicks with 22 points and 16 boards, while Amare Stoudemire scored 18 for New York, which has dropped two straight since a season-opening win in Toronto.

Knicks Schedule: New York Hosts Trail Blazers

(Sports Network) - The Portland Trail Blazers resume a four-game road trip Saturday when they visit the New York  Knicks in New York's famed Madison Square Garden.

The Blazers opened the trek on Wednesday in Los Angeles, as Brandon Roy filled the stat sheet with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Portland won its second straight to start the season, downing the Los Angeles Clippers, 98-88.

LaMarcus Aldridge added 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Marcus Camby became the third Portland player with a double-double, posting 11 points and 14 rebounds. Nicolas Batum donated 15 points and six boards for Portland, which was coming off a 106-92 home-opening victory over Phoenix on Tuesday night.

"We got stagnant in the third quarter, we got heavy legs," said Blazers head coach Nate McMillan, who won his 200th career game as Portland's mentor. "When we went to a zone in the fourth quarter it slowed them down."

The Blazers will finish their current trip with visits to Chicago and Milwaukee.

Amar'e Stoudemire will make his home debut for the 1-1 Knicks, who dropped a 105-101 decision to the Atlantic Division-rival Boston Celtics Friday night from TD Garden. Stoudemire did his best to keep New York in the game with 27 points and eight rebounds.

Wilson Chandler scored 19 points in more than 33 minutes off the bench and newcomer Raymond Felton ended with 17 points and six assists for the Knicks, who are back home for consecutive games versus Portland and Orlando after opening the new season on the road.

"Boston is more prepared to execute down the stretch. But I thought our guys played with as much heart as you can play with," said Knicks head coach Mike D'Antoni. "Got some big shots, got us a chance to have a little flurry at the end. But I thought overall, good, and guys were stepping up."

The Knicks won their season-opener Wednesday in Toronto.