New York Knicks Team Report - February 18

(Basketball News) - Stephon Marbury poured in 28 points to go with nine assists as the New York Knicks defeated the Detroit Pistons, 92-88, on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.

Marbury also tied a career-high with five steals as the Knicks ended a brief two-game skid. Anfernee Hardaway pitched in with 17 points and nine rebounds while Kurt Thomas and Othella Harrington each had 14 for New York, which was playing in its first game since dealing away forward Keith Van Horn to Milwaukee in a three-team deal that brought over power forward Tim Thomas and center Nazr Mohammed.

The game was tied at 82 with 1:08 to go when Marbury took over. He made all three free throws after getting fouled beyond the arc by Chauncey Billups. After Billups made two of his own at the other end, Marbury buried a crucial three- pointer to give the Knicks some breathing room at 88-84 with 40.4 seconds left.

Detroit tried to foul its way back into the contest, but Hardaway and Harrington converted all of their attempts from the line to cement the victory.

Tim Thomas played just nine minutes in his New York debut, scoring two points and grabbing four rebounds while Mohammed did not play.

New York, which is just a half-game back of the Toronto Raptors for the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference, has won seven of its last nine games at home and is 16-13 inside MSG this season.

The Knicks return to action on Friday when they host the Utah Jazz.