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Reeling Knicks face another old foe in Randolph

Feb 11, 2009 - 11:32 AM New York (21-30) at LA Clippers (12-40) 10:30 p.m. EST

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Just when things were starting to look up for the New York Knicks, the toughest week of their 2008-09 schedule crept up and stole all the momentum they'd garnered in January.

Now, as they head into the All-Star break, the playoffs once again seem like a bit more of a longshot. They get one final shot to get back on track before their week off as they visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.

The Knicks won six of their final seven games in January to jump right into the Eastern Conference playoff race, but they have yet to register a victory this month in five chances. Part of that had to do with facing arguably the league's three best teams - the Lakers, Cavaliers and Celtics - in succession.

Then again, they didn't really help themselves when, following a hard-fought loss to Portland, they surrendered 144 points in a 17-point rout to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. Ex-New York guard Jamal Crawford posted 21 points and seven assists to best his former team.

The Knicks will see yet another familiar face with the Clippers, as Zach Randolph has returned to full health. Acquired in a November deal that brought Tim Thomas and the now-retired Cuttino Mobley to Madison Square Garden, Randolph has been the Clippers' catalyst - when he's been on the floor that, is. The 6-9 veteran missed more than a month with a knee injury.

But L.A.'s leading scorer has returned in strong fashion, averaging 26.7 points and 9.7 boards over his last three contests.