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Duncan, Spurs take on struggling Knicks at Madison Square Garden

Nov 6, 2006 - 3:09 PM San Antonio (2-1) at New York (1-2) 7:30 pm EST

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- The New York Knicks struggled in Isiah Thomas' first game at Madison Square Garden. It doesn't get any easier in their second home contest.

The Knicks will try to avoid a third straight loss when they face off against the San Antonio Spurs in an interconference matchup on Monday.

Steve Francis scored 25 points and Eddy Curry added 22 for the Knicks, who shot 43 percent (34-of-79) in a 109-95 loss to Indiana on Saturday. Point guard Stephon Marbury made just 1-of-9 shots and committed six turnovers, hearing boos from the home crowd.

New York owner James Dolan mandated that the team improve this season or Thomas would lose his job as coach and team president. The Knicks got off to a good start in their season opener, beating the Memphis Grizzlies in triple overtime on Wednesday, but have struggled since.

In a road loss to the Atlanta Hawks one night later, the Knicks shot just 1-of-9 from the arc and committed 17 turnovers.

The Spurs have fared much better in the early campaign. Tim Duncan scored 13 of his 26 points in the third quarter as San Antonio rebounded from their first loss of the season with a 103-94 victory over the Toronto Raptors.

Tony Parker scored 19 points for the Spurs and Brent Barry chipped in 16, connecting on all five of his 3-point attempts.

San Antonio has won five of its last six meetings with New York.