Paul Pierce enjoys sticking it to New York Knicks - ESPN Boston

Paul Pierce enjoys sticking it to New York Knicks - ESPN Boston: "NEW YORK -- When his step-back jumper over Tyson Chandler in the final minute of Monday's visit to New York effectively sealed a victory, Boston Celtics captain Paul Pierce -- as he is wont to do on the Madison Square Garden floor -- smiled and blew a kiss to an audience that couldn't jeer him loud enough.

Just another night on Broadway for Pierce, who in seasons past has soared like an airplane (while Nate Robinson crashed behind him) and taken a midcourt bow after other big shots on the MSG floor.

Pierce smiled again inside the Celtics' locker room on the heels of the 102-96 triumph when asked to explain his impulsive reactions."

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Smith's summer fueling his All-Star play - Knicks Blog - ESPN New York

Smith's summer fueling his All-Star play - Knicks Blog - ESPN New York: "Five straight games with 20 points or more for the first time in his career. Pick-and-roll efficiency during a recent stretch even better than NBA leader Chris Paul. Gravity-defying dunks. And two game-winning shots. Already.

J.R. Smith, who's averaging career-highs in points (16.6) and rebounds (5.2) for the 22-10 Knicks, is starting to generate some serious votes to be an All-Star -- and Sixth Man of the Year -- for the first time in his career.

"Absolutely," Mike Woodson said on Thursday night. "That was the whole idea of coming into this season is putting him in that position as a guy coming off the bench that could lead the league and score a lot of points off the bench. ... I think he's starting to step up. He's being more patient about his play and he's trying to do it on both ends of the floor. That's what's so nice about it." "

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Knicks’ Defense Loses Its Edge, Forcing Offense to Rally - NYTimes.com

Knicks’ Defense Loses Its Edge, Forcing Offense to Rally - NYTimes.com: "While the Knicks, at 21-10, still have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, they have gone 5-5 in their last 10 games and are too often allowing their opponents to get comfortable on offense early. That, in turn, has forced the Knicks to spend much of the remainder of the game trying to rally.

The Knicks rank a modest 15th in the league in points per game allowed after starting the season right at the top. More troubling, over those last 10 games, they have allowed an average of 101.3 points per game, which ranks a dismal 25th for that span. In five of those games — against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Sacramento Kings, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Chicago Bulls and the Houston Rockets — the Knicks also found themselves trailing by 10 or more points in at least one juncture. Only against the Timberwolves, who were playing without their best player, Kevin Love, did the Knicks rally to win."

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Amar'e Stoudemire returns, Knicks fall to Trail Blazers

Amar'e Stoudemire returns, Knicks fall to Trail Blazers: "NEW YORK (AP) — The Portland Trail Blazers overcame Carmelo Anthony's season high-tying 45 points and spoiled Amare Stoudemire's season debut, beating the New York Knicks 105-100 on Tuesday night.

Nicolas Batum scored 26 points, Damian Lillard had 21 points, six assists and five rebounds, and LaMarcus Aldridge had 19 points and 14 rebounds for Portland.

BOX SCORE: Trail Blazers 105, Knicks 100

Stoudemire finished with six points on 3-of-8 shooting and one rebound in 17 minutes off the bench in his return from knee surgery. Anthony shot 14 of 24 and nearly led the Knicks back from 19 points down after missing two games with a knee injury, but the Trail Blazers had too many options.

J.J. Hickson scored all of his 18 points in the first half as Portland won for the third time in four games."

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Amar'e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony of New York Knicks to play Tuesday - ESPN New York

Amar'e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony of New York Knicks to play Tuesday - ESPN New York: "Fellow forward Carmelo Anthony will play against Portland after missing the last two games with a hyperextended left knee.

Both Stoudemire and Anthony were considered questionable heading into Tuesday's game.

Stoudemire and Anthony went through a shootaround with the team around two hours before tipoff and it was determined Stoudemire's left knee was strong enough to allow him to suit up for the Knicks. Anthony's status was determined about 45 minutes before tipoff.

Stoudemire underwent a debridement on his left knee on Oct. 31.

New York got off to a 21-9 start with Stoudemire sidelined and some NBA observers and fans have wondered if the $100 million forward will impact the chemistry the Knicks have established."

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