Heat 103 – Knicks 83
The most poignant moment in last night’s 103-83 blowout loss to the Heat came as Nate Robinson glided in for a fast-break slam dunk.
The Garden crowd was buzzing with the prospect of watching its newly minted slam-dunk champion execute an encore. But Dwyane Wade raced back and battered Robinson to the floor.
Stephon Marbury barked for a flagrant foul and got a technical instead. A livid Larry Brown screamed at referee Ed Rush, “I know we’re not any good, but we still deserve a fair call once in a while.”
Welcome to Team Titanic, Steve Francis, who sat on the bench in street clothes during the Knicks’ 17th loss in 19 games.
“I got to figure out how to coach better and get some passion,” Brown said afterward. “We let the game get away from us in the first two minutes.”
Eddy Curry (4 points, 4 rebounds, 17 minutes) was a nightmare and got booed after fouling out in the fourth quarter. Shaquille O’Neal had 14 points and Jason Williams abused Robinson for 24 points in what is likely Robinson’s last appearance in the rotation before Francis’ arrival.
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The Magic got scared off by Jamal Crawford’s long-term contract two days ago, according to sources.
Crawford likely will remain a Knick after today’s trading deadline, with the Magic taking what the Knicks thought was a weaker package of Trevor Ariza/Penny Hardaway.
Had the deal been Crawford and Hardaway, the Knicks would have had to take Pat Garrity and one more player, European draft picks, Fran Vasquez, who has no intention of playing in the NBA, sources said.
A relieved and worn-down Isiah Thomas admitted he was probably done. A Nuggets official said talks are dead with the Knicks about Earl Watson, as there’s no interest in Crawford.
Brown laughed at an Internet report the Timberwolves wanted to deal Kevin Garnett to the Knicks for Channing Frye and Hardaway. The Knicks have had discussions with Minnesota but claim the Wolves said Garnett is off the market for now.
“Kevin Garnett’s name doesn’t get mentioned much,” Brown said. “I can’t imagine that happening.”