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New-look Knicks return home to take on Wizards

Nov 22, 2008 - 11:17 AM Washington (1-9) at NY Knicks (6-6), 7:30pm EST

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- The last time the New York Knicks dueled the Washington Wizards, Jamal Crawford and Zach Randolph each scored 23 points and the Knicks escaped with a 114-108 triumph.

That was just over two weeks ago, but the players most responsible for that victory are no longer part of the equation. The Knicks' two leading scorers were dealt in a pair of trades on Friday that brought in Al Harrington, Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas while clearing millions in cap space for the near future.

While many have speculated that leaves the Knicks in the catbird seat to land LeBron James once he hits the open market in 2010, for the foreseeable future, it may mean just more rebuilding. That effort began in Friday's ugly 104-87 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks and continues Saturday as they return home to take on the Wizards.

The Wizards are in a significantly different position. They chose to use up their cap space this summer, signing Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison to lucrative extensions, keeping together a core group that has made the playoffs each of the last four seasons. The reward for their free spending? One win in their first 10 games, putting their postseason streak into serious jeopardy.

That is due in large part to the injuries to Arenas - whose bothersome left knee required surgery this fall and will keep him out until January - and center Brendan Haywood, who fractured his right wrist in October and may miss the entire season.

It's no surprise, then, that the Wizards are scoring about 92 points per game. And they can't stop anyone, either. Jamison and Caron Butler have admirably shouldered the scoring load, but even their combined 39 points per game can't get the job done alone.

On Friday, the Wizards blew a fourth-quarter lead and managed just 14 points in the final 12 minutes, falling to an injury-plagued Houston Rockets squad, 103-91. Jamison contributed 27 points and 10 boards in the losing cause.