• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Following active trade deadline, Knicks host Raptors

Feb 20, 2009 - 3:05 PM Toronto (21-35) at New York (22-31) 7:30 p.m. EST

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- The New York Knicks were one of the more busy teams prior to the NBA trade deadline as they continued to clear cap space for the 2010 offseason.

However, after halting a six-game slide in its last contest, New York will look to ignite a possible playoff push against the Toronto Raptors on Friday in the first of a home-and-home series.

With a star-studded list of free agents in 2010, among the possible players LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Toronto's Chris Bosh, the Knicks continued rebuilding its roster prior to Thursday's 3 p.m. deadline.

New York acquired Larry Hughes from Chicago in exchange for Tim Thomas, Jerome James and Anthony Roberson and also traded veteran Malik Rose to Oklahoma City for Chris Wilcox.

The Knicks will also look to the new parts to help them remain in playoff contention. Currently sitting three games out of the eighth spot, New York got back on track with a 112-107 overtime win over San Antonio behind 32 points and 10 rebounds from Slam Dunk champion Nate Robinson.

Bosh has missed the last five games with a sprained right knee and Toronto has gone 2-3 without the All-Star.

In their first game out of the All-Star break Wednesday, the Raptors dropped a 93-76 contest to Cleveland. Joey Graham had 15 points as the team shot just 35 percent (31-of-85) from the field.

The teams will also meet Sunday in Toronto.