Knicks go for fourth straight victory

This game marks new New York head coach Lenny Wilkens’ first game against Toronto since he mutually agreed to leave his position as head coach of the Raptors after the 2002-03 season. He spent three years at the helm for Toronto. The Knicks are 2-0 under Wilkens.

Earlier this season, the Raptors defeated the Knicks, 105-99, in overtime at Air Canada Centre.

The Knicks, who won four in a row earlier this season from December 26 to December 30, 2003, defeated Chicago on Saturday. Keith Van Horn scored 16 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter to lift New York to a 101-96 win over the Bulls at the United Center.

Coming off a season-high 30 points in Wilkens’ first game — a 108-88 win Friday in New York over Seattle — Van Horn scored 13 points during a crucial 16-2 run to start the fourth quarter, lifting the Knicks to their third win in as many tries.

"He knows I’m not going to pull him if he misses a shot," Wilkens explained of Van Horn.

Stephon Marbury attempted just eight shots but still finished with 18 points and eight assists, as the Knicks topped the 100-point plateau for the fourth straight game. New York has now won four of its seven games since acquiring Marbury in a trade with the Suns.

Allan Houston contributed a game-high 26 points in the winning effort.

The Knicks, who have won two straight and three of their last four at MSG, are 11-11 as the host this season.

The Raptors fell to the Atlanta Hawks, 75-70, on Saturday at Philips Arena.

Donyell Marshall recorded 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Raptors, who fell to 1-2 on a four-game road swing. Toronto only shot 37 percent from the field without all-star forward Vince Carter, who suffered a leg injury on Thursday.

Carter is day-to-day.

The Raptors, who have lost two of their last three on the road, are 8-12 as the visitor this season.

Toronto has won two straight after losing the last seven meetings with the Knicks. The Raptors have lost five straight after winning their last two at New York.