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Raptors look to add to Knicks' misery

Jan 11, 2008 - 1:59 PM Toronto (18-17) at New York (9-25) 7:30 pm EST

NEW YORK (Ticker) - The Toronto Raptors are on pace for their best season ever. The New York Knicks are heading in the opposite direction.

The Raptors look to compound the Knicks' woes when the teams meet at Madison Square Garden on Friday.

Toronto, which tied a franchise mark with 47 wins last season and made its first playoff appearance since 2001-02, is three games ahead of last season's pace through 35 games.

On the other hand, New York's record through 34 contests is its worst since an 8-26 start to the 1963-64 season.

The Raptors snapped a two-game slide with Wednesday's 109-96 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Anthony Parker matched his season high with 22 points and Chris Bosh added 21 points for Toronto, which shot a season-best 55 percent (43-for-78) from the field.

Meanwhile, the Knicks were dealt a 101-92 loss by the Houston Rockets to open a four-game homestand on Wednesday. Jamal Crawford scored 21 points for New York, which has dropped eight of its last nine contests.

The Knicks also have lost four straight at home and are desperately trying to avoid their first five-game home skid since March 19-31, 2006.

New York coach Isiah Thomas was ejected early in the fourth quarter by referee Eric Lewis in the loss to the Rockets. Though physical contact was made during the altercation, the NBA ruled Thursday that Thomas would not be suspended.