NBA: Raptors stay alive, eliminate Knicks in 102-95 win
BRIAN MAHONEY
AP Basketball Writer
NEW YORK — Andrea Bargnani scored 23 points, Chris Bosh had 17 points and 13 rebounds, and the Toronto Raptors extended their winning streak to six with a 102-95 victory over the New York Knicks on Saturday.
Shawn Marion added 12 points and 13 boards for the Raptors, who stayed alive for an Eastern Conference playoff spot in a run that is almost certain be too little, too late. Toronto would have been eliminated with a loss and a victory by Chicago.
Instead, the Raptors eliminated the Knicks, who haven't made the postseason since 2004.
Jose Calderon scored 15 points for Toronto, on its longest winning streak since its Atlantic Division championship team won six in a row in April 2007. The Raptors broke open a tight game by holding the Knicks to two field goals in the first 6-plus minutes of the fourth quarter, then held on behind their excellent foul shooting.
Al Harrington and Chris Duhon each scored 22 points for the Knicks, who tumbled out of playoff contention with a disappointing finish to Mike D'Antoni's first season. New York has lost four straight and 10 of its last 11 games.
The teams meet again Sunday night to complete a home-and-home series.
Quentin Richardson made the first basket of the fourth quarter to bring New York within two points, but Toronto scored nine straight to open an 86-75 lead on Bosh's jumper with 8:52 to play. A bucket by Chris Wilcox ended the Knicks' drought of about 3½ minutes before consecutive field goals by Joey Graham and Jason Kapono stretched the lead to 90-77.
New York cut it to four, but Shawn Marion's follow and a three-point play by Anthony Parker restored a comfortable cushion at 99-90 with 1:41 left. Toronto then hit its free throws, finishing 17-of-20 from the line.
The Knicks scored the last six points of the first quarter, taking a 30-23 lead on Wilson Chandler's tip-in as time expired. New York pushed the lead to 12 early in the second, but Toronto battled back to tie it late in the period before the Knicks took a 50-48 edge into halftime.