New York Knicks Team Report - January 24

(Basketball News) - The New York Knicks try to stay on the winning track this evening when they start a brief two-game homestand against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden.

On Friday, Stephon Marbury scored 10 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter, and banked in a huge three-pointer late in the game to help New York escape Atlanta with a 96-94 victory over the Hawks at Philips Arena.

Marbury finished 4-of-5 from behind the arc in the contest, including 2-of-2 in the final period, and hit nine of his 14 shots attempts in the game.

Keith Van Horn added 18 points and Allan Houston chipped in 17 for the Knicks, who have won five of their last six. New York also improved to 4-1 under new head coach Lenny Wilkens.

The Knicks’ recent tear has helped them in the Atlantic Division standings, where they are percentage points ahead of Philadelphia for third place and three games behind slumping first-place New Jersey.

New York, which will close its set against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, have won three straight and four of its last five at home and are 12-11 on Broadway this season.

New York has defeated the Heat twice already this season and has won three of four and five of the last seven meetings. Miami has also lost two straight at MSG and has dropped five of its last seven in New York.

The Knicks lead the all-time series 45-22, including a 27-7 mark at the Garden.