Knicks Blow 19-Point Lead, Fall to Raptors

Rafer Alston banked in a 3-pointer to start a 13-0 run midway through the fourth quarter, and the Toronto Raptors sent the Knicks to their 10th loss in 11 games with a 105-93 win last night.Chris Bosh scored 29 points, four shy of his career high, and Jalen Rose added 25 for the Raptors, who trailed by as many as 19 before making a comeback against the uninspired Knicks. The 13-0 run gave Toronto a 91-85 lead, and the Knicks never challenged again before being booed off the court.Stephon Marbury scored all 22 of his points in the second half, and Maurice Taylor added 17 for the Knicks. Center Kurt Thomas did not score in 26 minutes before fouling out.The Raptors, who had lost four of their previous five games, exerted more effort than the Knicks over the final 12 minutes as the all-but-meaningless game was decided. Both teams have already been eliminated from postseason contention.Taylor was 7-for-8 from the field in the second quarter to help the Knicks go ahead 54-35 before Bosh ended the half with a 3-pointer, his third of the season. Toronto opened the third quarter with a 22-4 run to take a 60-58 lead before Marbury scored his first points of the game on a driving bank shot to tie it at 60 with 4:02 left in the period.Marbury knocked down three 3-pointers in the first 4 1/2 minutes of the fourth quarter to help the Knicks to an 85-78 lead before Alston banked in his momentum-turning 3.Raptors coach Sam Mitchell had a prolonged back and forth with referee Bill Kennedy during the first quarter after Kennedy thought he heard one of Toronto’s assistants use a curse word in complaining about a non-call.“No he didn’t!” Mitchell yelled. “Yes, he did!” Kennedy retorted.The argument continued, each man repeating the same line, for about 30 seconds. Veteran referee Dick Bavetta spoke with Kennedy during the ensuing timeout.

Knicks Blow 19-Point Lead, Fall to Raptors

Knicks Blow 19-Point Lead, Fall to Raptors

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