Knicks host Warriors at MSG

Golden State has lost the first two games of its current five-game road swing, including a 113-83 defeat at the hands of the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. Kelenna Azubuike scored 23 points, Jason Richardson had 17 and Monta Ellis 16 for the Warriors, who have lost five straight as the visitor and are a dismal 6-23 on the road this season.

Injuries are starting to take their toll on the Warriors, who were without guard Stephen Jackson for the second straight game on Wednesday because of a small fracture in his left big toe.

The Warriors are already without leading scorer Baron Davis (arthroscopic left knee surgery), and in addition to Jackson, forward Matt Barnes (knee) and guard Josh Powell (head) are questionable for tonight’s game.

Golden State will visit a pair of division leaders in Washington and Detroit to round out its swing.

New York is also still fighting for a playoff position and has an outside shot at a division title. The Knicks are currently just 2 1/2 games back of New Jersey for the eighth spot in the East, and the third-place squad is also 6 1/2 games behind Toronto for the top spot in the Atlantic Division.

Inconsistency has been hurting the Knicks lately, as the squad had alternated wins and losses over its past 10 games. On Wednesday, New York was bested by the lowly Boston Celtics, 102-94.

Quentin Richardson scored 24 points and pulled down eight rebounds, Stephon Marbury totaled 23 points and dished out six assists, while Jared Jeffries and Eddy Curry added 16 points apiece in the loss.

New York is another team that is seeing injuries begin to pile up. Guard Jamal Crawford is expected to miss the rest of the season due to a stress fracture in his right ankle, while forward David Lee has missed New York’s last three games with a high right ankle sprain.

Also, guard Nate Robinson sat out Wednesday’s game because of a stomach virus and is questionable for tonight. Guard Steve Francis (right knee tendinitis) is doubtful.

New York is 16-13 as the host this season.

Golden State has won four in a row over the Knicks and four of its last five at New York.