New York Knicks Team Report - February 23

(Basketball News) - The New York Knicks lost their second straight game on Sunday, as they fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 92-86, at Madison Square Garden.

Stephon Marbury scored 20 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Knicks. Kurt Thomas had 16 points, while Tim Thomas and Shandon Anderson both had 10 for New York, which has dropped two in a row and four of its last five.

Cleveland opened the second half on an 11-4 run and made it 55-44 after Ilgauskas made a free throw to complete a three-point play. Zydrunas Ilgauskas later added a basket to push the margin to 66-55. The Cavs then carried a 70-55 advantage into the fourth quarter.

Ilgauskas scored the first eight points of the fourth quarter for the Cavaliers, who took a 78-56 lead with about 8 1/2 minutes remaining in the game.

New York showed some life and closed within 81-68 thanks to a 10-0 run with three minutes to go. The Knicks, though, later cut the lead to 88-84 on consecutive layups by Marbury with 17.7 seconds remaining. Carlos Boozer was then fouled on the inbounds pass and made both shots for a six-point lead.

After a New York basket, LeBron James was sent to the foul line and drained both attempts to seal the win.

Dikembe Mutombo had seven points and 11 rebounds for the Knicks, who made 39 percent of their shots. New York held a 53-52 edge over the Cavaliers on the boards.

The Knicks are off until Tuesday when they start a four-game road trip in Sacramento against the Kings. On the road swing, New York will also visit the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers and the Denver Nuggets.