New York Knicks Team Report - February 21

(Basketball News) - The New York Knicks fell to the Utah Jazz, 92-78, on Friday at Madison Square Garden.

Stephon Marbury netted 21 points for the Knicks, losers of three of their last four games. Tim Thomas had 17 points in his second game since coming over to New York in Sunday’s trade that sent Keith Van Horn to Milwaukee.

New York head coach Lenny Wilkens was forced to take Marbury out of the game after he picked up two quick fouls in the first four minutes and the Knicks never recovered.

The Jazz used a 7-0 run late in the first quarter to establish a 15-6 margin and led 17-11 after the first 12 minutes of play. The Knicks shot just 5- of-18 from the field.

Leading 31-24 with less than five minutes to go in the first half, Utah again mounted a 7-0 spurt. Maurice Williams triggered the run with five straight points.

Williams added a reverse layup with 15 seconds left to send the Jazz to the break with a 43-28 advantage but it was Greg Ostertag who led all scorers after 24 minutes with 10 points.

The 28 first-half points for the Knicks established a new season low, eclipsing the previous mark of 31 points in an 85-80 loss to New Jersey on November 14.

The Knicks fared better offensively in the third quarter, but they couldn’t keep Utah from increasing its cushion to 65-44 with 1:40 left as Raja Bell’s jumper capped off a six-point flurry.

Marbury then closed out the quarter with five points to help the Knicks cut the deficit to 67-50. In the fourth quarter, New York outscored the Jazz 28-25 for the final margin.

The Knicks, who connected on 38 percent (24-of-63) of their shots from the field, haven’t beaten the Jazz on their home court since December 17, 1996

New York is off until Sunday when they host LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.