The New York Knicks finally put an end to their losing streak, capping the slide at six as they defeated the Washington Wizards in New York. Amar'e Stoudemire, who scored 30, was one of several Knicks to break out of a slump. Wilson Chandler overcame a 1-7 start to score 25 points on 20 shots and Raymond Felton (17 points, 15 assists, 4 steals) played a splendid game from the point guard position. Danilo Gallinari canned two big jumpers down the stretch and finished with 17 points.
It was a bit of a see-saw game to begin with. Washington stumbled its way (10 first-quarter turnovers) to a thirteen-point deficit by the early second quarter, then promptly stormed back behind the relentless second unit play of Mustafa Shakur and Trevor Booker. In the third quarter, Amar'e Stoudemire and Nick Young came alive for their respective teams and the two clubs traded hoops without playing much defense. Finally, in the fourth, New York buckled down on defense, forced some more turnovers and tough shots, and put the game away with a flurry of jumpers.
The Wizards' road loss was their 21st, and they've still yet to win a game away from the Verizon Center. The Knicks, meanwhile, will look to build this win into another kind of streak as they face the Heat in a nationally televised battle this Thursday.
See Posting and Toasting for more Knicks coverage.