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Knicks snap six-game road losing streak

Jan 4, 2007 - 7:29 AM PORTLAND, Oregon (Ticker) -- Eddy Curry's strong start finally gave the New York Knicks something to smile about on the road.

Curry scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and Jamal Crawford added 25 points for the Knicks, who snapped a six-game road losing streak with a 99-81 triumph over the Portland Trail Blazers.

In winning for the first time away from home since November 29 at Cleveland, the Knicks posted their first victory in seven road meetings with the Trail Blazers dating to March 28, 2000. New York also ended a three-game overall skid.

Curry, who made 8-of-12 shots in the first half, scored 15 points in the second quarter, including eight of New York's last 10 of the period for a 51-42 halftime lead.

"I went out there and tried to make something happen," Curry said. "I was told if I have the opportunity before the double-team comes, to just go into my move. Don't wait for it and don't except it to come, and that's what I tried to do."

"You have to double-team Eddy," Crawford said. "He opens up everything in the post. His presence alone, even when he is not scoring, he changes the game. He (is) so athletic and nimble and has good eye coordination."

Stephon Marbury hit consecutive 3-pointers midway through the third quarter and the Knicks closed the period with a 13-2 run that included a three-point play by David Lee for an 80-60 advantage.

"Marbury was great tonight," Curry said. "He really showed what he brings to this team and his value here in New York. He goes up there and (runs) the show, very limited turnovers and he gets the ball in the right hands. He turned out a great game tonight and helped get a big win."

New York missed its first seven shots of the fourth quarter and Portland cut the deficit to 82-69 when Sergio Rodriguez hit a jumper with 7:28 left. However, Lee had a layup, Curry made two free throws and Crawford made back-to-back baskets for the Knicks.

"Eddy is our constant force," Lee said. "That's who we are looking to lead our team every single game, and he did a great job tonight, especially in that first half. He was the one who got us off to that good start."

Marbury scored 17 points and Lee grabbed 14 rebounds off the bench for New York, which posted a 51-31 advantage on the boards.

"That's one of our focal points every game, is try and win the battle on the glass," Lee said. "We know they have (Zach) Randolph, who averages a great deal of rebounds every game, so we wanted to keep him off the boards and we just tried to gang-rebound as a team and give ourselves some extra chances on the offensive end."

Randolph scored 15 points, rookie Brandon Roy added 14 and Jarrett Jack 11 for the Trail Blazers, who lost their fourth straight contest.

"We didn't come out with any energy, especially in the second half," Randolph said. "The second unit tried to come out in the fourth and finish it up, but we just didn't have any energy. We got to figure how to start playing hard and make a change because a couple of weeks ago, we were playing real good."

"Guys are struggling to find a rhythm, but we got to get over it," Roy said. "Hopefully, guys were embarrassed enough tonight that we find a way to get over it."