The Knicks shot 55.3% from the floor last night and they started and finished the game strongly outscoring the Pistons 67-42 in the 1st and 4th quarters! Al Harrington led the way for the Knicks last night with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists last night. Bill Walker got his first start last night for the Knicks (at shooting guard) and he made the most of it finishing with 22 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists in 36 minutes on the floor. David Lee was a beast around the basket last night as he finished up with 21 points, 18 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals. Tracy McGrady started at point guard last night and he did a great job of directing the offense as he finished up with 21 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals. The Knicks are now 21-39 on the year.

Tracy McGrady’s knee doesn’t look anywhere near 100% and the Knicks’ newly acquired guard has been getting limited minutes because of it.  He had microfracture knee surgery over a year ago, yet he is still “working his way back.”  His knee bothers him most when the Knicks have games on back to back nights.  His first game with the Knicks was on February 20th, and he had 26 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal in 32 minutes of action.  The next game was the 22nd, and he was able to play 30 minutes and finished with 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist.  The very next night the Knicks played the Celtics, and McGrady looked a step slow.  His shot was off and he played 27 minutes, finishing with 6 points, 8 assists, and 1 rebound.  He bounced back very nicely after the Knicks had a few days off, playing 26 minutes with 23 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists in a win over the Wizards.  The Knicks had another game the very next night against the Grizzlies, and T-Mac could only play 15 minutes and sat out the second half.  His knee was still bothering him in the Knicks blowout loss to the Cavaliers, but he was able to play 24 minutes for 6 points, 5 assists, and 2 rebounds.  TMac seems to be a different player when he gets enough time to rest his knee, but whenever the Knicks have back to back games he is almost useless with his sore knee.

The Knicks never had a chance last night as the Cavs were leading 101-59 after three quarters before calling off the dogs. The Knicks were outrebounded 60-31 and the Cavs shot 56.7% from the floor which helps explain the beat down last night in Cleveland. Bill Walker led the way for the Knicks last night with 21 points and 5 rebounds in 35 minutes off the bench. Al Harrington (18 points, 3 rebounds), Danilo Gallinari (17 points, 4 rebounds) and David Lee (10 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists) helped out on offense last night but it wasn’t near enough to compete with the Cavs. The Knicks didn’t probably inspire LeBron James to come play with them as they looked awful in person to him last night. The Knicks are now 20-39 on the year.

Rookie shooting guard Toney Douglas should get more of a look for the Knicks the rest of the way. The rookie has played in 32 games (2 starts) for the Knicks this season and he is averaging 13.4 minutes, 6.1 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. Douglas was a first round pick for the Knicks and they have to reason to give him a few minutes the rest of the year seeing how this year is going down the tubes.

The New York Knicks have not been shy about playing the new guys and they have benefitted from it despite being 0-2 with them. Tracy McGrady is really playing well for the Knicks so far. He has played in 2 games (both starts) for the Knicks so far and he is averaging 31.0 minutes, 20.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. McGrady still needs to get his legs under him so look for the Knicks to limit his minutes to about 30 per night. Eddie House has really been solid for the Knicks in his first couple of games. House has played in 2 games (0 starts) for the Knicks so far and he is averaging 33.5 minutes, 17.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 steal per game. Sergio Rodriguez has already bumped Chris Duhon from the starting lineup but the Knicks need him to pick up his offense. Rodriguez has played in 2 games (1 start) for the Knicks so far and he is averaging 27.5 minutes, 4.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 4.5 steals per game. But, Spanish Chocolate is only hitting 25% of his shots from the floor and that just isn’t anywhere near good enough. J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker have not appeared in a game for the Knicks yet.