New York Knicks Team Report - December 27

(Basketball News) - The New York Knicks try to make it two straight wins this evening when they head south to face the Orlando Magic at the TD Waterhouse Centre.

On Sunday, the Knicks began life without guard Jamal Crawford with a win, as Tim Thomas scored a season-high 20 points in New York’s 91-82 win over the expansion Charlotte Bobcats at Madison Square Garden.

Allan Houston had 16 points and five assists for the Knicks, who stopped a brief two-game slide. Stephon Marbury delivered 14 points, eight boards and six assists in the win.

Prior to the game, the Knicks placed Crawford on the injured list with right turf toe. Crawford, who is expected to miss at least a month, suffered the injury in the third quarter of Wednesday’s loss to Boston when he was stepped on by the Celtics’ Jiri Welsch.

The loss of Crawford is a costly one to the Knicks, who currently lead the wide-open Atlantic Division by 1 1/2 games over Boston with Philadelphia two games behind. The 24-year-old is putting together his best season, averaging a career-high 19.3 points along with 3.7 assists through 26 contests.

New York, which will start a three-game homestand after tonight’s tilt, is 5-9 away from home this season.

New York lost to the Magic earlier in the season, but have won five of the last seven matchups. The Knicks have also had success in Orlando, where they have won three straight and six of their last 10.