Knicks Hand Utah It's First Loss and Move to 4-2

BOXSCORE

Today the Knicks beat the Utah Jazz who came into New York with an unbeaten record with timely shooting and their best defensive effort of the year. Once again, led by PG Chris Duhon with 9 assists, the Knicks had every answer for the Jazz and pulled out a 107-99 victory.

"We play with energy, we can compete with a lot of teams. That's what we've been working on and every game continue to build on that,'' Duhon said. "It's early, but it's good to feel good about yourself and now we continue to build onto that."

While Duhon was the cerebral leading today, Jamal Crawford was the star of substance. With 32 points and 4 assists Crawford made 5 three pointers and made big shots down the stretch. Once AGAIN....Zach Randolph had ANOTHER double double (25 and 14).

"Defense is a lot of heart,'' D'Antoni said.

"We can put quickness on the floor, it's just a matter of just pushing through certain things and I thought we did a good job defensively.''

Wilson Chandler made his 2nd start of the season and struggled a bit offensively but his activeness kept him effective throughout the game. He shot only 3-12 and scored 8 points but also grabbed 6 rebounds. Slowly David Lee seems to be breaking out of his funk as he finally was noticed on the backboards tonight with 8 rebounds. At times the Knicks were sloppy and very careless with the ball committing 18 turnovers and once again they showed inexperience down the stretch attempting to close out the game with the lead. When they stop attacking, they struggle but slowly it seems they are learning how to win.

Carlos Boozer pounded the Knicks inside and on the glass but was limited due to foul trouble. Boozer had to sit for most of the third quarter after he picked up his 4th foul and that's when the Knicks went on their run and never looked back. Boozer finished with 19 points and 17 rebounds.

"We didn't do a good job of taking care of the ball,'' Boozer said. "It's our first loss and hopefully we can learn from this and move forward.''

The Knicks only shot 41% from the field but dominated the offensive glass which really hurt the Jazz. 7 of Randolph's 14 rebounds were on the offensive end which is very impressive. As the Knicks move to 4-2; their best start in years, they look ahead to yet another and perhaps tougher test in San Antonio. Tuesday night in Texas will certainly be the hardest game of the young season. The Knicks should continue to build on their recent victories and continue to build upon their new identity.

Knicks C Eddy Curry had a cortisone shot Friday to ease the pain in his sore right knee. He already had the knee drained to reduce the swelling after banging it twice in the preseason. Curry said tests revealed no structural damage, only a bone bruise, and doesn't know when he can return. "It's on the bone, so I guess it's going to take some time for it to heal,'' he said. "But it's not a knee thing, so I'm not really worried about it. I don't know much about bones and knees and all that anyway, but it's relieving to me to know that it's just on the bone.''

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