New York Knicks Team Report - January 31

(Basketball News) - Stephon Marbury and the New York Knicks welcome the Phoenix Suns to Madison Square Garden tonight. This is the first meeting of the season between the two squads.

On January 5, 2004, the Knicks acquired the point guard Marbury, shooting guard Anfernee Hardaway and center Cezary Trybanski from Phoenix. In exchange, the Suns received forwards Antonio McDyess and Maciej Lampe, guards Charlie Ward and Howard Eisley, the draft rights to former second-round pick Milos Vujanic, an unconditional first- round draft choice in 2004, a conditional future first-round draft pick and an undisclosed amount of cash.

Marbury had spent two-plus seasons with the Suns, who acquired him from the New Jersey Nets along with Johnny Newman and Soumaila Samake for Jason Kidd and Chris Dudley on July 18, 2001.

On Friday, Marbury scored 17 points to lead a balanced offensive attack, as New York easily defeated the Boston Celtics, 92-74, at the FleetCenter.

Shandon Anderson and Keith Van Horn each finished with 16 points for the Knicks, who snapped a two-game losing streak. Michael Doleac chipped in 15 points while Dikembe Mutombo had 10 points and 10 rebounds in the win.

Earlier on Friday, it was announced that New York guard Allan Houston will be sidelined until after the All-Star break with a right knee injury.

The Knicks have won three straight over Phoenix after losing the last two meetings. The Suns have lost two straight and five of their last six at New York.

New York, which has lost two straight at home, is 12-13 as the host this season.