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Playoff ScheduleGame 2 - Knicks, 84-83 Game 3 - Sunday, 4/30 - Knicks at Toronto, 12:30 P.M. Game 4 - Tuesday, 5/2 - Knicks at Toronto (if necessary) Game 5 - Friday, 5/5 - Toronto at MSG (if necessary) Game 2 EdgePOINT GUARD - Muggsy Bogues' defensive pressure against Charlie Ward disrupted the Knicks' offense in the first quarter when they shot 29.4 percent and fell behind 26-15. Bogues' three-pointer put Raptors ahead 81-78. SHOOTING GUARD - Allan Houston was beaten three times off the dribble by Tracy McGrady in the first quarter. He failed to respond when it counted most in the early going. Both shot poorly. CENTER - Both Antonio Davis and backup Kevin Willis scored easily against Patrick Ewing, who was a bright spot on offense but missed two foul shots with a chance to tie and fouled Vince Carter with 54.8 seconds left. POWER FORWARD - Larry Johnson disapeared early as Charles Oakley shot over him from the perimeter. But in the fourth quarter, he scored eight straight points and had a key assist to start the Knicks' comeback before fouling out. SMALL FORWARD - Vince Carter improved from 3-for-20 shooting in Game 1 to lead the Raps with 27 points, but he passed to Dee Brown for the last shot. Latrell Sprewell erupted for 13 of his 25 at crunch time, including the game-winner over Carter. BENCH - Marcus Camby provided a huge burst of first-half energy and finished with nine points and 13 rebounds but made only 4 of 14 shots, blunting the impact. Doug Christie did nothing, Kevin Willis was extremely efficient. COACHING - Butch Carter's switch to Muggsy Bogues paid off as did his emphasis on defense and the inside game. But he took the ball out of Vince Carter's hands for the last shot with the game on the line. Jeff Van Gundy stayed the course with Latrell Sprewell's help. INTANGIBLES - The Raptors won three straight from the Knicks during the regular season, but now they have to do it again in one series to survive. The Knicks haven't won at Air Canada Centre, but they may have broken the Raptors' spirits with their comeback win. Game 2 SummaryThe Knicks won 84-83 on a 10-ft jumper by Latrell Sprewell over Vince Carter with 7.9 seconds left. The Raptors had a chance to win in the final seconds but, Carter, who was double-teamed by Latrell Sprewell and Chris Childs, passed to Dee Brown at the left corner for a three pointer that missed long. "The last one was vintage Latrell", said Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy. "Two dribbles, pull up and shoot over a great player in Carter." Sprewell led the team in scoring with 25 points, 13 of which were scored in the fourth quarter. The Knicks trailed 69-55 early in the fourth quarter and with the score 69-59, Larry Johnson scored on four straight possessions, cutting the Raptors lead to 72-67, igniting the Knicks comeback victory. Johnson finished the night with 11 points and fouled out with 5:09 left in the game, after getting into early foul trouble. I predict the Knicks in 3, but I am a Knicks fan, of course! |
