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Marbury trying to keep Knicks in playoff race

Apr 4, 2007 - 3:15 PM Philadelphia (29-44) at New York (32-41) 7:30 pm EDT

NEW YORK (Ticker) - It is money time for the New York Knicks, as coach Isiah Thomas has found out.

Clinging to hopes of making the playoffs, the Knicks host the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, with their coach a bit lighter in his wallet and a recent slide hanging heavily over them.

Despite having the highest payroll in the NBA, the Knicks have not made the playoffs since 2004. They have undone a somewhat solid season by losing six of their last seven games, including a pair of heartbreakers over the weekend in Dallas and New Orleans.

After Saturday's 103-94 overtime loss to the Hornets, Thomas made a point of noting how star guard Stephon Marbury does not seem to get the same respect from referees when driving to the basket that other star players receive.

That public observation cost Thomas $50,000 in the form of a fine from the league. And it did nothing to improve the standing of the Knicks (32-41), who are 2 1/2 games behind Orlando (34-40) for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, with Indiana between them.

For his part, Marbury is doing all he can. He scored a season-high 43 points in Friday's 105-103 loss at Dallas and is averaging 34 points over his last four contests.

Marbury again will have to be on his game against the 76ers, who have been playing well of late and have had the Knicks' number this season, winning two of three meetings.

Philadelphia is coming off Saturday's 86-82 loss at New Jersey. However, the Sixers completed their second winning month since the December trade of superstar guard Allen Iverson, going 9-6 in March after recording an 8-7 mark in January.