The Knicks are now only 3.5 games behind the Raptors for the Atlantic Division lead and only 3 games behind the Nets for the last playoff spot. No one really thought the Knicks would play this well, but Isiah Thomas has done a good job of motivating the team….especially big man Eddy Curry. Curry is leading the Knicks in scoring (19.3 points) and he’s also averaging 7.0 rebounds a game, which is good for him. Stephon Marbury isn’t shooting as much as he’s averaging 14.5 points per game this season and he’s averaging 5.7 assists per game. He seems to be evolving into more of a team player which is good for the Knicks. Jamal Crawford (17.8 points, 3.1 reb, 4.6 ast) and Quentin Richardson (13.3 points, 7.1 rebounds) have both rebounded from down years last season and have excelled. Young forwards David Lee (11.2 points, 10.8 rebounds) and Channing Frye (10.2 points, 5.4 rebounds) are also both playing excellent for the Knicks and have really given them a presence inside that was not there last season for them. The Knicks really have a good shot to make the playoffs in the weak Eastern Conference this season.