Knicks (97) - Pistons (101)

Note: this is only for just in cast Barnesgasm puts up his own recap of the game tonight. I will keep my recap here for the sake of not losing my work.

Hey guys, I'm sitting in for Seth today. Great game played by the Knicks, they really put up a gasp great effort and kept it close down the stretch. I like seeing efforts like this. Anyway:

Anyone else find that stupid T-Mobile starting line-up thing to be confusing? It's too... unorganized for me.

Glad to see Chandler get another start. He made a few poor shot choices, but he has tons of potential.

'DOLPH SIGHTING! No points, but he did get one rebound in 9 minutes. Really, Morris? That's all you could do in 9 minutes? You get your freakin' chance and you don't even capatialize! Oh well, there's more chances.

It seems like Eddy Curry has gotten the memo that some people are going to be gone after the off season, because he played like a beast tonight, 23 points and 7-9 from the free throw line!

Marbury was out there watching the team, looking like he'd rather be anywhere but there. Wouldn't blame him. It must suck knowing that Fred Jones was starting in the spot you'd be at normally.

Speaking of Freddie, he had a great shooting night, getting key shots in the 4th, including a big three pointer to keep the Knicks in the game.

Rasheed Wallace was out for the Pistons tonight, so Theo Ratliff started in his place, and proved why he never deserved any of those big money contracts that he got. He blew EASY shots, made stupid turnovers and even got some bad goaltends. Way to impress, Theo. I'm sure Flip Saunders is glad you're his one back-up when 'Sheed gets hurt.

David Lee had a nice double double, 12 points and 15 rebounds. He really has begun to pick it up a lot more lately. Nice to see him playing well, considering he's one of the few Knicks that gave a shit early on.

Crawford made a nice shake and bake move in the 2nd, only for Lee to get his lay-up blocked. Damn, that would've made Sportscenter highlights too.

I'm too used to Amir Johnson having long hair. He looks off without his dreadlocks.

Speaking of off, Tayshaun Prince was anything but that, hitting huge shots down the stretch to put the game away for good. He had a nice night, shooting 9-17 and hitting a huge runner to put them up by 4 with 19 seconds to go.

No idea how he did it, but Richard Hamilton got two quick technicals and got tossed. Jeez, who shit in his Trix? Methinks someone wanted a night off. He also had the same temper tantrum in the triple overtime thriller from 2006, and it cost them the game that time, and almost did tonight.

Renaldo Balkman had one of his worst games in a long time. He had two straight fast breaks, got called for a charge on both of them. He was later called for a goaltend, too. Ouch. Isiah got rid of him after that for a while.

In a funny moment, Mike and Clyde were discussing how the MAAC tournament was continuing on MSG at 10 P.M. live, which I agree is WAY too late for those poor kids. Clyde said, in typical Clyde fashion "When do those kids study?!"... on second thought, you had to be there.

Both Crawford and Nate got banged up in the game. Crawford left for a short while due to something involving his shoulder, and Nate was limping for the final few minutes of the game. Let's hope it doesn't mean anything bad...

The Knicks kept getting SO close to tying the game and overtaking the lead, but then they'd fall apart again. They'd go on 10-0 runs, but then go ice cold. It's frustrating, a bit in a way.

Malik Rose scored 9 points in 8 minutes, including a three pointer! WTF?!

No Walter Herrmann sighting, therefore JoshL is not happy. I need my three point shooting Fabio fix, DAMNIT!

All in all, the Knicks played great, just fell apart at the end and could never fully gain momentum. Oh well, one more extra chance at gaining Derreck Rose, so no complaints here. See you guys later!