76ers 91
Knicks 76
PHILADELPHIA – Limited by a shoulder injury, Stephon Marbury needs support. And after last night’s offensively challenged 91-76 loss to the Allen Iverson-less Sixers, both Marbury and Larry Brown implored center Eddy Curry to step up.
As is his inconsistent custom, Curry followed up a 27-point explosion in Friday’s win vs. Orlando with an egg-laying yesterday, logging more fouls (six) than points (five). Curry fouled out with 3:32 left after scoring just five points in 23 minutes, going 2-for-7 with no blocks and three turnovers.
Brown was miffed, but that’s no surprise.
“Some guys didn’t bring it,” Brown said, referring to Curry.
Marbury, whose playing with one shoulder, uncharacteristically pointed the finger Curry’s way, pleading for him to become an inside factor every game, not just half the time.
It took the new flavor of the week to keep the Knicks in striking distance, starting small forward Qyntel Woods scored a career-high 24 points, as the team shot a pathetic 35 percent. Brown even praised Jackie Butler (four blocks), who was nearly sent to the Developmental League a few days ago before Jerome James wound up in a neck brace, for being more active than Curry.
“Normally when we get a guy like Qyntel step up, someone’s not scoring as much,” Marbury said. “Eddy and Jamal [Crawford] didn’t score much. I haven’t been scoring but trying to do other things. We have to find consistency, whose going to be our presence in the middle. Tonight, he just wasn’t there. It’s like that some nights.”
In comparison to the active Sixers center Samuel Dalembert – who blocked five shots, altered a number of others and ripped down 15 rebounds – Curry was a statue. Playing the second night of a back-to-back is a factor since Curry’s not in great condition.
“No blocks, six fouls, three turnovers, no assists, 2-for-7 from the field, and his man played with unbelievably energy,” Brown said. “My whole thing is every night I ask him to bring energy. I don’t give a darn if he scores a basket – go after balls, block shots, play like Sammy. Without scoring, [Dalembert] controlled the whole game. You would hope someone with the athleticism of Eddy, he would do it. Hopefully he’ll do it someday.”
Curry, who had two shots blocked early by Dalembert, was subdued.
“I didn’t play the type of game I wanted to,” Curry said. “It’s disappointing. I don’t play for numbers or stats. I play to help the team win the game. If I could’ve had a big game tonight, it would’ve helped.”
Curry’s dog of a night was magnified because of Marbury’s limitations. He had just eight points and six shots after three quarters. He was more aggressive in the fourth quarter, finishing with 14 points and eight assists.
Marbury’s sore shoulder significantly reduces his ability to drive the ball. Marbury uses his shoulders and 6-2, 200-pound frame to bull to the basket. Marbury admitted his mother has asked him to shut it down.
“I’m getting stronger, getting more confidence, doing things I wasn’t able to do,” Marbury said. “It’s hard when you’re trying to allow your body to heal when you’re still using it. My mother wants me to sit down, telling me every day.”
Marbury said his mother was even more nervous when she found out the doctors told him three weeks rest was needed to fully heal the shoulder. Marbury took off just eight days.
“I tried to trick her but you can’t trick a mother,” Marbury said.
The Knicks’ edge of having Kevin Ollie to contend with instead of the explosive Iverson was wasted. The Sixers took over in the second quarter with a 28-7 run.
The Knicks, who fell to 14-28, are desperate to put together a win streak so the Isiah Thomas sexual-harassment suit would take a backseat. But their win streak of one was snapped.
The five-game suspension of Antonio Davis is now over and he’ll be able to return to action tomorrow in Atlanta. Davis rejoins the club in Atlanta for today’s practice.