The Knicks (22-15) bounced back after the debacle in LA, with a convincing triumph over the Portland (20-19) Trailblazers in Portland last night. The Trailblazers came into the night 8-4 in there last twelve games, with two victories each over the Rockets and Jazz. The Knicks won convincingly (100-86), leading for the majority of the game except for a furious comeback from the Blazers in the third quarter. The Knicks summoned their new found defensive focus and got the timely stops that seemed to evade them early in the year. Amare Stoudemire (23 points, 8 rebounds, 1 block) led the charge with a plus minus of +15, only eclipsed by the +17 of Ronnie Turiaf (19 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks). A great Knicks defensive effort held the Blazers to 86 points, 9 points less than their season average. This was achieved by a offensive aggressiveness that got LaMarcus Aldridge into early foul trouble and forced him to sit for the majority of the first half.
Soon after the triumph in Portland, the Knicks boarded the plane and headed to Utah (25-13). This will be the first match up of the two teams during the Stoudemire era, and would be another great win as long as they continue their defensive focus. A win will also allow for the Knicks to complete their 4 game Western Road Trip with a .500 record.
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