New York Knicks Team Report - March 20

(Basketball News) - Due to their recent three-game winning streak, the Knicks have moved into sixth place in the East alone.

New York leads Cleveland and Miami by a half-game, while trailing fifth place Milwaukee by three games.

The Knicks’ continued their solid play Friday night, tallying a 79-65 win over the New Jersey Nets at Madison Square Garden.

Stephon Marbury posted 21 points and nine assists to lead the Knicks to the win. Tim Thomas added 16 points and seven rebounds, while Nazr Mohammed posted 14 points and 10 boards in the contest. New York snapped a five-game losing streak to the Nets.

The Knicks took advantage of the shorthanded Nets, who were without All-Stars Jason Kidd (left knee bruise) and Kenyon Martin (left knee tendinitis). New York guard Allan Houston also missed the game with a bruised quadriceps, an injury he suffered Tuesday against Washington. Houston, who has missed 20 games this season, is likely out again this evening against the Chicago Bulls.

New York hit 41 percent of its shots from the field, while limiting the Nets to just 32.9 percent shooting. The big difference came on the glass, as the Knicks owned a commanding 54-37 advantage.

The Knicks will be battling Chicago at the United Center tonight. The teams have split a pair of meetings this season with the road team winning each game. The Knicks won 101-96 at the United Center on January 17.

Chicago has still won five of the last seven meetings in the series. The Knicks have lost six of their last nine trips to the Windy City.

The Knicks have won three of their last four road tilts. For the season, New York is 13-21 in foreign buildings.