New York Knicks Team Report - January 20

(Basketball News) - Stephon Marbury scored a game-high 28 points and dished out a game-high 14 assists as the New York Knicks beat the Toronto Raptors 90-79 on Monday at Madison Square Garden.

Allan Houston added 17 points and Kurt Thomas chipped in 16 for the Knicks, who matched a season-high with their fourth straight win.

Othella Harrington came off the bench to spark the Knicks, scoring 10 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Marbury poured in 24 of his 28 points in the second half for New York, which has won six straight at home against the Raptors. Wilkens was pleased to see that his point guard penetrated the lanes and found the open man.

"I encourage him all the time. I think he is doing a great job of setting things up and running the show," Wilkens said. "I keep reminding him when the opportunities are there he has to take it." added the Knicks coach.

Wilkens improved to 3-0 as coach of the Knicks. He mutually agreed to leave his position as head coach of the Raptors after the 2002-03 season. Wilkens spent three years at the helm for Toronto.

Marbury is averaging 23 points and 11 assists in the last two games.

The Knicks are off until Wednesday when they visit Yao Ming and the Rockets. Houston crushed New York, 111-79, on January 8th at Madison Square Garden.